bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance implications of export assistance: the mediating role of export entrepreneurship
Authors: Faroque Anisur R. , Kuivalainen Olli , Ahmed Jashim Uddin , Rahman Mahabubur , Roy Hiran , Ali M. Yunus , Mostafiz Md Imtiaz
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Although both institutional export assistance and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) contribute separately and positively to export performance, the interplay between them has received little attention. This study examines the role of international EO in deriving performance benefits from governmental and nongovernmental export assistance.

Design/methodology/approach

In this longitudinal study, two surveys were administered at two different times: In 2011, 705 Bangladeshi apparel exporters were surveyed, and in 2019, a subsequent survey of 198 firms in multiple industries was conducted. The aim of the surveys was to assess the relationships between governmental and nongovernmental assistance, EO and export performance.

Findings

The results of the first survey show that, while nongovernmental assistance influences performance directly and via EO, governmental assistance has only direct effects. Furthermore, the negative influence of government assistance on EO reduces the total effects and renders them nonsignificant. The results of the second survey demonstrate that government EPPs have both direct and indirect positive and significant effects on market performance, indicating a partial mediation, whereas quasi-governmental assistance has positive and significant direct effects as well as negative but nonsignificant indirect effects. Nongovernmental EPPs have both direct and indirect significant effects on international performance, indicating a partial mediation.

Research limitations/implications

The study has important implications for researchers studying export assistance and its impact on firm performance. Instead of adopting a parochial view of government assistance, this study categorizes such assistance into three types – government, quasi-government and nongovernment. Furthermore, this study bridges the export assistance and international entrepreneurship literature by including EO.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurs must emphasize the use of government assistance in order to enhance export performance. However, to promote both entrepreneurship and performance, they must emphasize nongovernment assistance. Exporters should also capitalize on the assistance extended by various quasi-governmental agencies to bolster export performance.

Originality/value

Given the performance advantage of export assistance, this study highlights the contribution of the private sector in promoting export entrepreneurship while shedding light on the pernicious role of (quasi-)governmental assistance in export entrepreneurship.
The fraud triangle – an alternative approach
Authors: Kagias Paschalis , Cheliatsidou Anastasia , Garefalakis Alexandros , Azibi Jamel , Sariannidis Nikolaos
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In recent years, Public Accountability and Integrity have been matters of growing attention, both in the public and private sector, as citizens demand value for money entrusted to the governments through their taxes. In addition, in many countries, after the recent recession, government budgets and corporate returns have been reduced. Many corporate scandals have occasionally become known and have had a great impact on confidence in the market. Even worse, after the pandemic of COVID-19, «bare and exacerbated massive preexisting problems in the world’s economic, social and security order, threatens to push up to 100 million people into extreme poverty in 2020, struck at a time of dwindling trust in representative governance» (UNDP, 2020). The funds of organizations in the private and public sector have been shrinking, whereas the situational pressures of fraud are increased. In this context, Dorris, President and CEO of the ACFE warns for explosion of fraud in the coming years and reminds that during the 2008 economic, companies cut-off, non-revenue generating activities, such as the internal audit and the compliance departments leaving them exposed to fraud. Therefore, organizations have to do more with less. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of the fraud theory on the management’s perspective aiming to contribute to the efficient development of anti-fraud mechanisms

Design/methodology/approach

Having identified the fraud theory developed so far, we provide a framework for the fraud risk management.

Findings

This paper incorporates cost/benefits considerations, practical considerations and empirical evidence on fraud.

Originality/value

This paper provides valuable information to enable the management, who has the primary responsibility to prevent and detect fraud, to disclaim responsibility by broadening their understanding of fraud theory.
On the methodology of calculating volume charge density in a MIFGMOS substrate using Poisson’s equation
Authors: Plascencia Jauregui Francisco Javier , Medina Vazquez Agustín Santiago , Becerra Alvarez Edwin Christian , Arce Zavala José Manuel , Flores Ruiz Sandra Fabiola
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to present a mathematical method based on Poisson’s equation to calculate the voltage and volume charge density formed in the substrate under the floating gate area of a multiple-input floating-gate metal-oxide semiconductor metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on this method, the authors calculate electric fields and electric potentials from the charges generated when voltages are applied to the control gates (CG). This technique allows us to consider cases when the floating gate has any trapped charge generated during the manufacturing process. Moreover, the authors introduce a mathematical function to describe the potential behavior through the substrate. From the resultant electric field, the authors compute the volume charge density at different depths.

Findings

The authors generate some three-dimensional graphics to show the volume charge density behavior, which allows us to predict regions in which the volume charge density tends to increase. This will be determined by the voltages on terminals, which reveal the relationship between CG and volume charge density and will allow us to analyze some superior-order phenomena.

Originality/value

The procedure presented here and based on coordinates has not been reported before, and it is an aid to generate a model of the device and to build simulation tools in an analog design environment.
A review of cluster analysis techniques and their uses in library and information science research:k-meansandk-medoidsclustering
Authors: Lund Brady , Ma Jinxuan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This literature review explores the definitions and characteristics of cluster analysis, a machine-learning technique that is frequently implemented to identify groupings in big datasets and its applicability to library and information science (LIS) research. This overview is intended for researchers who are interested in expanding their data analysis repertory to include cluster analysis, rather than for existing experts in this area.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of LIS articles included in the Library and Information Source (EBSCO) database that employ cluster analysis is performed. An overview of cluster analysis in general (how it works from a statistical standpoint, and how it can be performed by researchers), the most popular cluster analysis techniques and the uses of cluster analysis in LIS is presented.

Findings

The number of LIS studies that employ a cluster analytic approach has grown from about 5 per year in the early 2000s to an average of 35 studies per year in the mid- and late-2010s. The journal Scientometrics has the most articles published within LIS that use cluster analysis (102 studies). Scientometrics is the most common subject area to employ a cluster analytic approach (152 studies). The findings of this review indicate that cluster analysis could make LIS research more accessible by providing an innovative and insightful process of knowledge discovery.

Originality/value

This review is the first to present cluster analysis as an accessible data analysis approach, specifically from an LIS perspective.
Design criteria for pad and stencil with high pick-and-Place yield
Authors: Huang Chien-Yi , Greene Christopher , Chan Chao-Chieh , Wang Ping-Sen
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the passive components of System in Package SiP modules and discusses the geometric pad designs for 01005-sized passive components, the front end design of the hole size and shape of the stencil and the parameters of the stencil sidewall coating, to determine the optimum parameter combination.

Design/methodology/approach

This study plans and conducts experiments, where a L8(27) inner orthogonal array is built to consider the control factors, including a L4(23) outer orthogonal array to consider the noise factor, and the experimental data are analyzed by using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution multi-quality analysis method.

Findings

The results show that the optimum design parameter level combination is that the solder mask opening pad has no solder mask in the lower part of the component, the pad width is 1.1 times that of the component width, the pad length is 1.75 times that of the electrode tip length, the pad spacing is 5 mil, the stencil open area is 90% of the pad area, the stencil opening corner has a 3 mil chamfer angle, and the stencil sidewall is free of nano-coating.

Originality/value

The parameter design and multi-quality analysis method, as proposed in this study, can effectively develop the layout of passive components on a high-density SiP module substrate, to stabilize the process and increase the production yield.
Mediating role of need satisfaction on total reward management towards retention: a conceptual framework
Authors: Sarkar Jeeta , Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Sahoo Kalpana
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of total rewards on retention. The finding relies on need satisfaction approach as a mechanism. This is done by investigating the role of need satisfaction of “autonomy, competence and relatedness” as possible mediators between elements of total rewards and retention.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper focussed on exploring the literature published in various popular databases .Based on the conceptual analysis, a set of possible frameworks linking the three constructs has been stated for future research.

Findings

The research has evolved with few possible frameworks to model the assertions by investigating and corroborating it with quantitative studies to be empirically tested.

Originality/value

The originality lies in applying self-determination theory framework of need satisfaction mechanism in explaining the relationships between total rewards and retention, thereby adding new insights to the employee retention literature.
An Anthropologist Adrift: A Story on Care, Grief, and Becoming in a Pandemic
Authors: Rocker Kailey
Published: October 2021

This autoethnographic‐style fiction piece is based on my experience of losing my mother to cancer during the pandemic. Written in a format akin to the entries of a ship’s log, it captures the significance of intersubjective connection in ongoing turbulence. Through these logs, the product of an anthropologist’s world interrupted, the narrator as ethnographer comes into being as categories likehomeandfieldare blurred during the stormy experience of the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Butyrate ameliorates skeletal muscle atrophy in diabetic nephropathy by enhancing gut barrier function and FFA2‐mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signals
Authors: Tang Gang , Du Yi , Guan Haochen , Jia Jieshuang , Zhu Nan , Shi Yuping , Rong Shu , Yuan Weijie
Published: October 2021

Background and Purpose

Muscle protein catabolism in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) results in striking loss of muscle proteins, which increases morbidity and mortality risks. Evidence shows that short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play an important role in health maintenance and disease development. Recently, the connection between butyrate (a SCFA) and DN has been revealed, although the relationship between butyrate and muscle atrophy remains unclear.

Experimental Approach

We studied changes in serum butyrate levels in DN patients using metabolomic analyses. In db/db mice, protective effects of butyrate on DN‐induced muscle atrophy. were explored. Inhibition of muscle atrophy by butyrate and the underlying mechanism(s) were studied in C2C12 cells exposed to high glucose/lipopolysaccharide (HG/LPS).

Key Results

Butyrate levels in DN patients were significantly decreased. In db/db mice, supplementing normal diet with butyrate improved intestinal barrier function. Concurrently, butyrate alleviated muscle atrophy, promoted PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling, and suppressed oxidative stress and autophagy in skeletal muscle of db/db mice, and in HG/LPS‐exposed C2C12 cells. Further, FFA2 receptors, key components of SCFA signalling, were decreased in skeletal muscle of db/db mice and in HG/LPS‐exposed C2C12 cells. Overexpression of FFA2 receptors activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling and inhibited oxidative stress and autophagy in HG/LPS‐exposed C2C12 cells. Silencing of FFA2 blocked PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling that was improved by butyrate, as well as the suppression of oxidative stress and reduction of autophagy.

Conclusion and Implication

Butyrate exerts protective effects on muscle atrophy induced by DN by enhancing intestinal barrier function and activating the FFA2 receptor‐mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Use of antioxidants supplementation on developmental outcomes in children with Down syndrome—A systematic review and meta‐analyses
Authors: Jafri Sidra Kaleem , Iqbal Atiya , Alam Anusha , Lassi Zohra , Frei Julia
Published: October 2021

Background

The background of this study is to evaluate the published literature on the use of antioxidants in improving developmental outcomes in children with DS.

Methods

The systematic review included interventional studies (randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and quasi‐RCTs [q‐RCTs]) of children aged 0 to 18 years diagnosed with DS who received antioxidants to improve developmental outcomes. Studies were excluded if they were interventional studies with non‐random allocation or lack of control group or non‐interventional studies including observational studies, systematic and narrative review articles, editorials and commentaries. Studies were also excluded if data from participants with DS were included as part of a larger group of participants (e.g., children with intellectual disability) and the data could not be separated for subgroup analysis, or if outcomes did not assess developmental domains (e.g., reported biochemical markers only). The review included children with other conditions associated with developmental disability, only when data for children with DS were separately reported.

Results

Eleven RCTs and q‐RCTs fulfilled the eligibility criteria with 683 participants with Down syndrome ranging in age from newborns to 17 years. Nine studies did not show any statistically significant clinical benefit of using antioxidants. Three studies were included in a meta‐analysis comparing changes in the effect sizes (post and pre‐intervention) in Global Developmental Quotient (GDQ) between the intervention and control groups.

Conclusion

This review concludes that it is likely that the results are valid and suggest that the use of Antioxidant has no improvement in GDQ for children with DS. It is also unclear if any benefit exists for other developmental domains.
Adult onset epilepsy incidence in Finland over 34 years: A nationwide registry study
Authors: Sipilä Jussi O. T. , Kälviäinen Reetta
Published: October 2021

Background and purpose

The incidence of epilepsy is decreasing among the working‐aged in high‐income countries, but previous studies have reported conflicting results in Finland.

Methods

A nationwide population‐based cross‐sectional analysis was made of annual epilepsy drug reimbursement rights frequency data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, the national authority, between 1986 and 2019. All persons at least 20 years of age living in Finland during the study period were included.

Results

Based on the analysis of 77,939 new reimbursement rights, crude incidence was 57.4/100,000 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 57.0–57.8) person‐years, and age‐standardized (to the European Standard Population 2013) incidence was 51.6/100,000 person‐years. Both crude (r = 0.62, p = 0.00009) and standardized (r = 0.65, p = 0.00003) incidence increased over time. Incidence increased in both men (from 66.4 to 71.6/100,000, r = 0.51, p = 0.002) and women (from 51.5 to 55.3/100,000, r = 0.68, p < 0.00001). The mean male to female incidence rate ratio was 1.28 (95% CI = 1.26–1.30, range = 1.15–1.41), but decreased during the study period (r = −0.47, p = 0.006). Incidence decreased in those 20–59 years old but increased in all older age groups. This development was similar between sexes.

Conclusions

The incidence of adult onset epilepsy in Finland increased in people older than 60 years and decreased in the 20–59‐year age group during the study period. These trends were similar between sexes. Therefore, etiological epilepsy trends in the elderly need to be studied further to plan public health measures to prevent epilepsy in this age group.
Political Prisoners and the Irish Conflict 100 Years On
Authors: BRYSON ANNA , McEVOY KIERAN , ALBERT ALLELY
Published: October 2021

This article traces the impact of Irish political prisoners on the prison landscape in Ireland, north and south, over the past 100 years. For the post‐1969 period in Northern Ireland, it explores three different styles of prison management: reactive containment, criminalisation, and managerialism. It also examines the ways in which political prisoners sought to resist, including through strategic use of law, dirty protests and hunger strikes, escapes and the use of violence. The article then discusses the early release of prisoners under the Good Friday Agreement and the role that ex‐prisoners have played in the peace process. It concludes with some reflections on the ongoing tensions between the state and dissident republican prisoners, asking what lessons (if any) can be gleaned from the past 100 years.
Suicides of Boy Prisoners; The Portland Borstal Institution; The Delinquent Child After the War
Authors: SHORE HEATHER
Published: October 2021

This article considers three extracts from the first Howard Journal, published in 1921. Concentrating on juvenile and young male delinquency and the borstal system, it contextualises the original extracts by focusing on the evolution of borstal training in the early 20th Century, the character of the interwar borstal and the influence of the Prison Commissioner, Alexander Paterson, the circumstances and notoriety of Portland Borstal and in particular the issue of suicide in the prison estate, and the impact of the First World War, on the youth and young male delinquency and penality.
Anaerobic soil disinfestation, amendment-type, and irrigation regimen influence Salmonella survival and die-off in agricultural soils
Authors: Murphy Claire M. , Weller Daniel L. , Reiter Mark S. , Bardsley Cameron A. , Eifert Joseph , Ponder Monica , Rideout Steve L. , Strawn Laura K.
Published: October 2021

Aims

This study investigated Salmonella concentrations following combinations of horticultural practices including anaerobic soil disinfestation (ASD), soil amendment type and irrigation regimen.

Methods and Results

Sandy-loam soil was inoculated with a five-serovar Salmonella cocktail (5.5 ± 0.2 log CFU per gram) and subjected to one of six treatments: (i) no soil amendment, ASD (ASD control), (ii) no soil amendment, no-ASD (non-ASD control) and (iii–vi) soil amended with pelletized poultry litter, rye, rapeseed or hairy vetch with ASD. The effect of irrigation regimen was determined by collecting samples 3 and 7 days after irrigation. Twenty-five-gram soil samples were collected pre-ASD, post-soil saturation (i.e. ASD-process), and at 14 time-points post-ASD, and Salmonella levels enumerated. Log-linear models examined the effect of amendment type and irrigation regimen on Salmonella die-off during and post-ASD. During ASD, Salmonella concentrations significantly decreased in all treatments (range: −0.2 to −2.7 log CFU per gram), albeit the smallest decrease (−0.2 log CFU per gram observed in the pelletized poultry litter) was of negligible magnitude. Salmonella die-off rates varied by amendment with an average post-ASD rate of −0.05 log CFU per gram day (CI = −0.05, −0.04). Salmonella concentrations remained highest over the 42 days post-ASD in pelletized poultry litter, followed by rapeseed, and hairy vetch treatments. Findings suggested ASD was not able to eliminate Salmonella in soil, and certain soil amendments facilitated enhanced Salmonella survival. Salmonella serovar distribution differed by treatment with pelletized poultry litter supporting S. Newport survival, compared with other serovars. Irrigation appeared to assist Salmonella survival with concentrations being 0.14 log CFU per gram (CI = 0.05, 0.23) greater 3 days, compared with 7 days post-irrigation.

Conclusions

ASD does not eliminate Salmonella in soil, and may in fact, depending on the soil amendment used, facilitate Salmonella survival.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Synergistic and antagonistic effects on food safety hazards of implementing horticultural practices should be considered.
Dynamics of fungal and bacterial microbiome associated with green-mould contaminated sawdust substrate of Pleurotus pulmonarius (grey oyster mushroom)
Authors: Ponnusamy Ameertha , Ajis Ana Hazirah , Tan Yee Shin , Chai Lay Ching
Published: October 2021

Aims

Green-mould contamination is identified as one of the challenges faced by mushroom cultivation industry globally which believed to be caused by Trichoderma spp.

Methods and Results

To explore the dynamics of microbial population in mushroom substrate during commercial mushroom cultivation and how microbiota might play a role in green-mould contamination, we applied both culturing and targeted metagenomics approaches to identify microbiota in noncomposted sawdust substrates at different cultivation stages. The microbiological analysis showed that the green-mould contaminated substrates harboured higher total mesophilic bacteria count. The green-moulds isolated from the contaminated mushroom substrates were identified as Trichoderma pleurotum (n = 15; 93.8%) and Graphium penicillioides (n = 1; 6.3%). To our surprise, the targeted metagenomic analysis revealed that Graphium comprised 56.3% while Trichoderma consisted of only 36.1% of the total fungi population, suggesting that green-mould contamination might not be caused by Trichoderma alone, but also Graphium that grows very slowly in the laboratory.

Conclusion

It is worthwhile to note that G. penicillioides was also isolated in the early stages of mushroom cultivation, but not T. pleurotum. The results indicated that the structure and composition of the bacterial population in the mushroom substrate varied and the bacterial population shifted along the cultivation process.

Significance and Impact of Study

This study revealed a possibility of G. penicillioides as an overlooked fungi causing green-mould contamination.
Tenacious team, precarious patient: A phenomenological inquiry into interprofessional collaboration during ICU resuscitations
Authors: Lin Yongxing Patrick , Chan Le Yi Cynthia , Chan Ee‐Yuee
Published: October 2021

Aims

The study aims to explore the lived experiences of interprofessional collaboration among ICU nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists in managing resuscitations in the ICUs.

Design

Descriptive phenomenological design, underpinned by Husserl's philosophy.

Methods

ICU nurses, doctors and respiratory therapists who have experience in managing resuscitations with the interprofessional team were recruited through purposive sampling from April to December 2019. Sixteen ICU professionals participated in individual, semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews which were audio recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Findings were analysed using Colaizzi's 7‐step analysis.

Results

The essence of interprofessional collaboration during resuscitations can be described in four main themes. ‘Ruminating about professional boundaries’ signifies how ICU professionals acknowledged the roles and boundaries that surrounded their scope of practice during resuscitations. ‘Rallying the interprofessional team’ illustrates how the interprofessional team rapidly band together amongst the aid and hindrance of contextual enablers and inhibitors. ‘Responding to interprofessional conflicts’ depicts how intra‐ and interprofessional tensions can occur during resuscitations that can impact patient safety. ‘Reaching collective leadership’ proposes enhanced resuscitation care through the collective leadership of the interprofessional team.

Conclusion

Resuscitations represent a precarious turn of events for the critically ill patient where the interprofessional team undergoes a cyclic sequence of teamwork and conflict while attempting to drive the resuscitation into a positive outcome. As ICU professionals attempt to optimise interprofessional collaboration during resuscitations, findings call for enhanced team training initiatives encompassing the interprofessional team, with an emphasis on collective leadership.

Impact

ICU professionals experience of interprofessional collaboration during resuscitations is poorly understood. By understanding their lived experience, targeted interventions to improve interprofessional collaboration can be conceptualised and implemented. Findings will set pace for future evaluation research on interprofessional collaboration and patient outcomes during resuscitations.
The effect of weather on temperature variation inside a solar dryer in Ahvaz‐Iran using computational fluid dynamics method
Authors: Sajadiye Seyed Majid , Saberian Ayad
Published: October 2021

In subtropical hot desert climates, the high temperature inside the chamber of the solar dryers spoils heat‐sensitive bioactive ingredients of agricultural products. In this article, the annular temperature variation inside the dryer chamber and collector thermal efficiency of a naturally ventilated indirect solar dryer in Ahvaz‐Iran was evaluated using computational fluid dynamics models. Time variable boundary conditions based on the regional meteorological reports and Universal Time Coordinated for automatic consideration of solar heat radiation, were applied in the models. The results were validated against the physical experiments by accuracy evaluation of the chamber temperature (root mean squared error [RMSE] of 3.14°C), product moisture ratio (RMSE of 0.26), and solar heat flux (RMSE of 84.26 W/m2). The efficiency of the collector was shown to be minimal during the warm months from April to September with a higher level around the solar noon. Daily variation of the temperature inside the chamber from sunrise to sunset and the annual interval of each temperature lasts during a day were presented which can be used for defining the tolerable period of drying. The possibility of drying medicinal plants was presented as a sample. The results can provide a viable estimate for similar climates in the Middle East.

Practical Applications

In this study, many details of preprocessing procedure of solar drying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been presented which is practical for related studies about the dryers or any process affected by variable weather and solar radiation. Graphical results are comparable and useful for numerical research studies on heat and mass transfer phenomena. The accuracy of the CFD model that was validated against the physical experiments, is promising for CFD‐based drying process optimization research studies. The results of physical experiments which have been expressed in good detail can be used as a reference for future research studies. The tolerable period of drying of agricultural products in Ahvaz‐Iran can be extracted from the results of this study which is a viable estimation for similar climates in the Middle East.
Handshake or high‐five: Greeting children
Authors: Massie John
Published: October 2021

The handshake is a common greeting, parting gesture or deal sealer across the globe. Its origins may go back to pre‐history, ancestorial primates using similar gestures. The handshake is cultural norm, most commonly shared between adults, which children learn as they grow up. There are many important aspects to the handshake that can promote the clinician–patient relationship, but how clinicians caring for children should use the handshake has not received attention. This paper explores the origins of the handshake and its closely allied gesture, the high‐five, and considers how they can work to promote the care of children.
A case of severe odontogenic infection in Kikuchi‐Fujimoto disease
Authors: Platais Christopher , Henien Marianne , Patel Vinod
Published: October 2021

Kikuchi‐Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare cause of cervical lymphadenopathy and is not well understood. We report a case of deep neck space infection arising from a small dentigerous cyst associated with an impacted mandibular third molar in a patient with a recent diagnosis of KFD. We consider the unusual severity of the clinical presentation and suggest that KFD may have a role in the exaggerated response to a minimal dentigerous cyst.
Adolescent Health Series – Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adolescents in sub‐Saharan Africa: A narrative review
Authors: Morojele Neo K. , Ramsoomar Leane , Dumbili Emeka W. , Kapiga Saidi
Published: October 2021

Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use by adolescents are major contributors to death and disability in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper reviews the extent of adolescents’ ATOD use, risk and protective factors, and studies evaluating prevention interventions for adolescents in SSA. It also describes the harms associated with adolescents’ ATOD use in SSA, which mainly include interpersonal violence, sexual risk behaviours, and negative academic outcomes. We use the socio‐ecological model as our framework for understanding ATOD use risk and protective factors at individual, interpersonal, peer/school, and societal/structural levels. We used two strategies to find literature evaluating ATOD interventions for adolescents in SSA: (a) we sought systematic reviews of adolescent ATOD interventions in SSA covering the period 2000–2020; and (b) we used a comprehensive evidence review strategy and searched for studies that had evaluated ATOD interventions in all SSA countries between 2000 and 2020. Only two community interventions (a brief intervention and an HIV prevention intervention), out of four that were identified, were partially effective in reducing adolescent ATOD. Furthermore, only one school‐based intervention (HealthWise), out of six that we uncovered, had any effect on ATOD use among adolescents. Possible reasons why many interventions were not effective include methodological limitations, involvement of non‐evidence‐based education‐only approaches in some studies, and shortcomings in adaptations of evidence‐based interventions. The scale of ATOD and related problems is disproportionate to the number of evaluated interventions to address them in SSA. More ATOD interventions need to be developed and evaluated in well‐powered and well‐designed studies.
Inter‐ and intraobserver agreement for CT measurement of mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes is excellent in dogs with histologically confirmed oral melanoma
Authors: Cotter Brad , Zwicker Lesley A. , Waldner Cheryl , Randall Elissa , Gagnon Jerome , Wiebe Sheldon , Cohen Eli B. , Hespel Adrien‐Maxence , de Swarte Marie , Mayer Monique N.
Published: October 2021

Mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes are routinely evaluated with CT when staging dogs with oral melanomas. While size alone is considered inadequate for detecting nodal metastasis, it is critical in evaluating treatment response, as clinical decisions are based on changes in size. It is common for different radiologists to measure the size of pre‐ and posttreatment lymph nodes in the same patient. The objective of this retrospective, observer agreement study was to evaluate the inter‐ and intraobserver agreement in measuring canine mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes by a diverse population of veterinary radiologists and trainees. Fourteen dogs with documented oral melanoma and head CT studies identified from records of a single institution were included in this study. North American veterinary radiologists and trainees were recruited to measure the mandibular and medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes; in triplicate. Prior to performing the study measurements, participants completed a training tool demonstrating the lymph node measurements. Overall, interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was 0.961 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.946, 0.972) and intraobserver ICC was 0.977 (95% CI: 0.968, 0.983), indicating excellent agreement (ICC > 0.9 considered excellent). Similar findings were noted following sub‐analysis for most variables (experience, size, laterality, axis of measurement). These results suggest that follow‐up measurement of the long and short axis of the mandibular lymph nodes and short axis of the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes in the transverse plane, performed by different veterinary radiologists using the same method of measure, should have minimal impact on clinical decision making.
Real-time Coordinated Scheduling for Cloud Radio Access Networks in a Software-only Environment using the OpenAirInterface Platform
Authors: Ariza-Vesga Luis Felipe , Eslava-Garzon Johan Sebastian
Published: October 2021

The objective of this paper is to extend into the OpenAirInterface platform the Coordinated Scheduling (CS) technique to allocate resource blocks among User Equipment (UE) in a wisely way and to control the energy efficiency, the throughput, and the inter-cell interference for Cloud Radio Access Networks (C-RANs). It is achieved by modifying the OpenAirInterface scheduler code, increasing the Remote Radio Unit (RRU) scalability, and employing some component carriers of the Radio Cloud Center (RCC), each one them with one or more UEs. The hardware utilized is composed of general-purpose processors and fast Ethernet transport ports, and the software is recent frequency-domain methodologies in a software-only environment where the use of radio units are not required. However, the USRP B200 mini-i radio unit and the UE (Samsung Galaxy S8) were considered only for validation purposes. The emulations using frequency-domain methodologies, compatible with fourth and fifth-generation cellular systems, allowed real-time emulations and reduced 10-fold the multipath channel’s signal processing complexity compared to time-domain methodologies. The results show we can emulate a real-time static coordinated scheduling proof-of-concept for one C-RAN composed of one RCC, three RRUs, and three UEs. In the end, it is evaluated the reproducibility and the scalability of synthetic networks composed of one RRU and at least one UE, without using software-defined radio units, reducing prototyping uncertainties of the physical hardware and the total price of the experiment.
¿Héroe estructuralista o anomalía post-estructuralista? Deleuze como pensador de la individuación
Authors: Toscano Alberto , Mejía Mosquera Juan Fernando
Published: October 2021

Este artículo rastrea el vínculo entre la filosofía de la individuación de Deleuze, desarrollada en obras como Diferencia y repetición y Lógica del sentido, y la noción de estructura, alrededor de la cual se había organizado buena parte de la discusión epistemológica y ontológica de las ciencias y la filosofía francesas en la década de los sesenta. El autor no solamente señala la originalidad de la interpretación deleuziana del término estructura, –esta deja de corresponder a una invariante formal opuesta o ajena a la génesis de los individuos singulares y se transforma en un campo virtual de determinaciones preindividuales– sino que, además, expone los posibles límites de su uso en una filosofía de la diferencia en s. misma. La reconstrucción de esta apuesta teórica que pretendía hacer del “estructuralismo” una nueva filosofía trascendental permite evaluar qué. tanto de esta idea de estructura sobrevive en la obra posterior de Deleuze y Guattari y hasta qué. punto su filosofía transforma o desplaza el proyecto trazado en estos textos iniciales.
Vida, experiencia límite y vergüenza en Gilles Deleuze
Authors: Chirolla Ospina Gustavo
Published: October 2021

En este texto intentamos mostrar cómo la imagen del pensamiento propuesta por Deleuze en Diferencia y repetición implica una noción de límite, que, lejos de indicar una constricción o de determinar un uso legítimo, indica el despliegue de una potencia del pensamiento que experimenta y capta el máximo de intensidad de una vida. En un segundo momento, a partir de esta experiencia límite del pensamiento, nos proponemos comprender lo político como lo impensado de la filosofía de la política. Para pensar lo impensado de la política en el presente, se hace necesario pasar por “la vergüenza de ser hombres”, de la que hablara Primo Levi, y que Deleuze extiende, más allá de los campos de exterminio nazis, a los modos de vida a los que nos conduce el capitalismo actual. Finalmente, la vergüenza como experiencia de lo inasumible en nosotros mismos, como es comprendida por Giorgio Agamben, nos sirve para dar cuenta, desde ciertas prácticas cotidianas ligadas al consumo de fármacos (neuroestimulantes) y al desarrollo biotecnológico, de los procesos de subjetivación y desubjetivación de las sociedades de control.
La gran prosa: Merleau-Ponty y la literatura como expresión de la verdad
Authors: Buceta Martín Miguel
Published: October 2021

El objetivo del artículo es revisitar el concepto de gran prosa elaborado por Merleau-Ponty para señalar la importancia del lenguaje literario en el problema de la expresión de la verdad. Para ello, expondremos las tesis principales del curso dictado por Merleau-Ponty en el año académico 1953-1954, titulado Le problème de la parole. Esto nos permitirá caracterizar al lenguaje literario y su capacidad de llevar a la expresión el sentido de la percepción. Por último, se considerará la necesidad de la incorporación de la expresión literaria en la elaboración de una filosofía de lo sensible.
Más allá del ateísmo, la religión y el nihilismo. La “irreligión” filosófica de Quentin Meillassoux
Authors: Ramírez Cobián Mario Teodoro
Published: October 2021

En el artículo se explica y se aboga a favor de la propuesta de Quentin Meillassoux de “filosofía irreligiosa” o “irreligión filosófica”, es decir, de una tercera postura entre religión y ateísmo que plantea la concepción de un Dios inexistente y por venir (Dios virtual) y de una recuperación ético-filosófica de las nociones de esperanza, iortalidad, justicia y divinidad. Con referencias a distintos pensadores de la historia de la filosofía se busca enmarcar el significado y valor de la concepción de Meillassoux. Después de una exposición breve de la filosofía del pensador francés, se realiza en sucesivos apartados la recuperación crítico-filosófica de conceptos religiosos básicos para concluir con una breve exposición de la refutación del “nihilismo” que hace Meillassoux, tarea filosófica importante como ninguna en nuestro tiempo.
Adequação empírica, linguagem e mundo em The Scientific Image
Authors: Gava Alessio
Published: October 2021

Neste ano de 2020, celebra-se o quadragésimo aniversário de The Scientific Image, o seminal livro de Bas van Fraassen. Causa surpresa, depois de tanto tempo, ainda mais considerando o quanto a proposta desse autor foi debatida nestas quatro décadas, a publicação, no número de março da revista Metascience, de mais uma resenha da obra do fundador do empirismo construtivo. Em “Concluding unscientific image”, Hans Halvorson defende que nela não se propõe apenas uma defesa de uma perspectiva antirrealista acerca da ciência - e, ao mesmo tempo, uma crítica ao realismo científico -, mas se coloca também em discussão o próprio modo de fazer filosofia que, desde Quine, parecia dominar a filosofia analítica. O presente estudo pretende focar nas alegações de Halvorson acerca daquilo que a afirmação da adequação empírica de uma teoria comportaria - e que segundo ele, van Fraassen teria em mente - e mostrar que talvez não correspondam àquilo que van Fraassen realmente defende em seu livro.
El concepto uexkülliano de mundo circundante y sus desplazamientos
Authors: Heredia Juan Manuel
Published: October 2021

Este artículo analiza el sentido que el concepto de mundo circundante (Umwelt) asume en Jakob von Uexküll, examina las distintas formulaciones que presenta en el desarrollo de su obra, y destaca las sucesivas redefiniciones que afectan a sus dos componentes: el mundo perceptible (Merkwelt) y el mundo de efectos (Wirkungswelt, Wirkwelt). Teniendo en cuenta el significativo impacto que el concepto de Umwelt tuvo en la filosofía continental, el propósito del estudio es reconstruir su sentido en función de las fuentes primarias y, a través de un análisis histórico-conceptual, iluminar aspectos que no suelen ser tematizados en la literatura –en particular, aquellos relativos al mundo de efectos–.
Heidegger: acontecimiento, diferencia y metafísica
Authors: Esperón Juan Pablo
Published: October 2021

La palabra acontecimiento se muestra como una noción fundamental para la filosofía contemporánea. Pero también resulta ser una noción problemática. El objetivo de este artículo es, entonces, aclarar y mostrar las características que se encuentran sintetizadas en la noción de acontecimiento, con anclaje en la posición teórica de Heidegger, para, en un segundo momento, mostrar algunas dificultades que esta noción conlleva.
Some mathematical tools for modelling malaria: a subjective survey
Authors: Banasiak Jacek , Ouifki Rachid , Woldegerima Woldegebriel Assefa
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we provide a brief survey of mathematical modelling of malaria and how it is used to understand the transmission and progression of the disease and design strategies for its control to support public health interventions and decision-making. We discuss some of the past and present contributions of mathematical modelling of malaria, including the recent development of modelling the transmission-blocking drugs. We also comment on the complexity of the malaria dynamics and, in particular, on its multiscale character with its challenges and opportunities. We illustrate the discussion by presenting a curve fitting using a 95% confidence interval for the South African data for malaria from the years 2001-2018$ and provide projections for the number of malaria cases and deaths up to the year 2025.
Vehicle and Traffic Light Control Through Gradient-Based Coordination and Control Barrier Function Safety Regulation
Authors: Rodriguez Manuel , Fathy Hosam
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we present a decentralized control framework for the coordination of connected vehicles and traffic lights in urban intersections. The framework uses gradient-based methods to dynamically coordinate, at every time-step, the planned intersection arrival times of vehicles and the planned switching times of traffic lights. Assuming no constraints, vehicles then use analytical optimal control methods to determine a nominal acceleration profile intended to place them at the intersection at the desired arrival time. Finally, using control barrier functions, the agents' accelerations and arrival times are modified to ensure safety and feasibility. The work in this paper builds on existing research on safe-set nonlinear control methods, multi-agent gradient-based methods, and optimal control methods used to tackle the intelligent intersection management problem. Here, we integrate the use of these different approaches to present a comprehensive control architecture that can flexibly coordinate the timing of both vehicles and traffic lights, while maintaining safety and feasibility. Simulations show that the method can save between 4% and 15% in fuel consumption and between 55% and 70% in delay for different traffic conditions.
Ciliary protein Kif7 regulates Gli and Ezh2 for initiating the neuronal differentiation of enteric neural crest cells during development
Authors: Lai Frank Pui-Ling , Li Zhixin , Zhou Tingwen , Leung Adrian On Wah , Lau Sin-Ting , Lui Kathy Nga-Chu , Wong William Yu-Ming , Sham Pak-Chung , Hui Chi-Chung , Ngan Elly Sau-Wai
Published: October 2021

Kif7-Gli2-Ezh2 pathway regulates the differentiation of enteric neural crest.
Low case numbers enable long-term stable pandemic control without lockdowns
Authors: Contreras Sebastian , Dehning Jonas , Mohr Sebastian B. , Bauer Simon , Spitzner F. Paul , Priesemann Viola
Published: October 2021

Test-trace-and-isolate and moderate contact restrictions offer sustainable exit strategies complementary to vaccination.
Virtuous victims
Authors: Jordan Jillian J. , Kouchaki Maryam
Published: October 2021

People see victims as morally virtuous—not because of anything that they have done, but because others have mistreated them.
Positronium imaging with the novel multiphoton PET scanner
Authors: Moskal Paweł , Dulski Kamil , Chug Neha , Curceanu Catalina , Czerwiński Eryk , Dadgar Meysam , Gajewski Jan , Gajos Aleksander , Grudzień Grzegorz , Hiesmayr Beatrix C. , Kacprzak Krzysztof , Kapłon Łukasz , Karimi Hanieh , Klimaszewski Konrad , Korcyl Grzegorz , Kowalski Paweł , Kozik Tomasz , Krawczyk Nikodem , Krzemień Wojciech , Kubicz Ewelina , Małczak Piotr , Niedźwiecki Szymon , Pawlik-Niedźwiecka Monika , Pędziwiatr Michał , Raczyński Lech , Raj Juhi , Ruciński Antoni , Sharma Sushil , Shivani  , Shopa Roman Y. , Silarski Michał , Skurzok Magdalena , Stępień Ewa Ł. , Szczepanek Monika , Tayefi Faranak , Wiślicki Wojciech
Published: October 2021

Positronium created in a human body during PET scans hallmarks neoplastic tissues.
Focusing of in-plane hyperbolic polaritons in van der Waals crystals with tailored infrared nanoantennas
Authors: Martín-Sánchez Javier , Duan Jiahua , Taboada-Gutiérrez Javier , Álvarez-Pérez Gonzalo , Voronin Kirill V. , Prieto Iván , Ma Weiliang , Bao Qiaoliang , Volkov Valentyn S. , Hillenbrand Rainer , Nikitin Alexey Y. , Alonso-González Pablo
Published: October 2021

Focusing of in-plane hyperbolic PhPs into deep subwavelength focal spots provides enhanced field confinement and absorption.
Mechanics of colloidal supraparticles under compression
Authors: Wang Junwei , Schwenger Jan , Ströbel Andreas , Feldner Patrick , Herre Patrick , Romeis Stefan , Peukert Wolfgang , Merle Benoit , Vogel Nicolas
Published: October 2021

The structure of a spherical colloidal particle agglomerate predicts its fracture and deformation resistance.
Tox2 is required for the maintenance of GC T
FH
cells and the generation of memory T
FH
cells
Authors: Horiuchi Shu , Wu Hanchih , Liu Wen-Chun , Schmitt Nathalie , Provot Jonathan , Liu Yang , Bentebibel Salah-Eddine , Albrecht Randy A. , Schotsaert Michael , Forst Christian V. , Zhang Bin , Ueno Hideki
Published: October 2021

Transcription factor Tox2 plays a key role to maintain T
FH
phenotype and generate memory T
FH
cells in both mice and humans.
Ancestral circuits for vertebrate color vision emerge at the first retinal synapse
Authors: Yoshimatsu Takeshi , Bartel Philipp , Schröder Cornelius , Janiak Filip K. , St-Pierre François , Berens Philipp , Baden Tom
Published: October 2021

In vivo recordings of cone photoreceptor outputs in a tetrachromate reveal efficient ancestral strategy for color processing.