bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF CERVICAL CANCER INCIDENCE IN IRAQ DURING 2010-2015
Authors: Al-Hashimi Muzahem , Safwan Nathem Rashed
Published: January 2022

Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in Iraq. This study aimed to examine the spatial pattern and high-risk clusters of cervical cancer in different areas of Iraq (except the Kurdish region) during the period 2010-2015. The age-adjusted incidence rates (AAIRs), age-specific incidence rates (ASIRs), and annual percent changes (APCs) were calculated for 2010–2015. We used three techniques of spatial statistical analysis which are Global spatial autocorrelation, Getis-Ord Gi* statistic, and Anselin Local Moran’s  statistic to investigate spatial clustering and outliers. Over the period 2000-2015, 1037 cases were diagnosed with AAIR of incidence of (3.521 per 100,000). Depending on AAIRs, we found cervical cancer incidence was highest (8.212 per 100,000) in the age group of 60-69 years old. The APC of cervical cancer age-specific rates has significantly risen for the age groups 60-69 only. We identified spatial high-risk clusters for incidence. The cluster was mainly located in the center of Iraq (Baghdad, Najaf, Kerbala, and Babil provinces), the central-eastern part of Iraq (Diyala province), and the southern part of Iraq (Basrah province). While the provinces in the northern and northeastern parts of Iraq, as well as the western province, had relatively lower AAIRs from cervical cancer. A spatial cluster pattern for the incidence of cervical cancer in Iraq was revealed, which will be valuable for improving the allocation of health resources in Iraq.
ARE WE DOING ENOUGH IN PROMOTING BREAST CANCER SCREENING: AN EVALUATION OF MALAYSIA BREAST CANCER SCREENING PROGRAM
Authors: Mohd Said Zakiah , Sutan Rosnah
Published: January 2022

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting  women globally. Several ways of breast cancer screening tools are available. This study aims to evaluate Malaysia's breast cancer screening program using the national database based on participation and performance indicators for the past five years. A retrospective cumulative analysis of clinical breast examination and mammogram screening services were performed using the national dataset of 2016-2020 obtained from the Health Informatics Centres, Ministry of Health Malaysia. The performance indicator represents the percentage of breast abnormality detected during clinical breast examination and the proportion of confirmed cancer through mammogram screening.  A reduction in the participation rate for clinical breast examination was noted from 2016 (25.8%) to 2020(25.1%). However, a high participation rate in 2019 (29.1%) was noted following active health promotion intervention. The rate of high-risk women who underwent mammogram screening fluctuated by years according to active breast awareness campaign. The average rate of confirmed breast cancer annually was 0.7% and was noted highest in 2020 (1.17%).  Improving early diagnosis is an eminent strategy for cancer control in all settings, including strengthening health systems and providing universal health coverage. Successful breast cancer prevention and control programs require intersectoral planning and active community participation. Ensuring sustainability and accessibility of breast cancer screening programs is highly needed. Fostering good collaborative multiagency partnership and community participation for the cancer control program urges an innovative approach through a policy formulation.
Statistical Model for Predicting Salinity of Water at Doho 1 Irrigation Scheme in Busia.
Authors: Christine Keneema , Twaibu Semwogerere , Edwin Kamalha , Deborah Alio , Carol Kawuma
Published: January 2022

The concentration of salts in water or salt affects crop yields to a good extent. Irrigation salinity can be controlled by various methods including modelling. Therefore, this study aimed at designing a model for predicting the salinity of the water at the Doho Irrigation Scheme in Butaleja district, eastern Uganda for better rice growing. This study used the different water chemical parameters from the different sites of the scheme, where water samples were collected and measured in the laboratory. A multivariate regression method was used to model water salinity through the Electrical Conductivity as the dependent variable and other water chemical parameters like potassium (K), Sodium (Na), pH and Calcium (Ca) were used as independent variables. A non-linear statistical model was derived from the chemical results of the irrigation scheme, presented and validated by applying it on the water samples that were not used during the design of the model. The model measured salinity levels and can be used to determine which water chemical levels are good for rice growing in Doho and other similar situations. Hence, the model can be used to improve food quality and quantity as required in the food production goal
Susceptibility of Plutella xylostella (L.) to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner strains
Authors: Viana Cácia L. T. P. , De Bortoli Sergio A. , Pedroso Elizabeth C. , Vacari Alessandra M.
Published: January 2022

The objective was to observe the susceptibility of a population of Plutella xylostella (L.) maintained for 100 generations in laboratory to strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner. The concentrations 9×104, 1.5×105, 6×105, 8×105, 9×105, 1.5×106, 2×106, 3×106, 4.5×106, 6×106, 7.5×106, 9×106, 1.5×107, 2×107, 3×107, 4×107, 4.5×107, 6×107, 7.5×107, 9.5×107, 1.5×108 e 3×108 spores/mL were evaluated for the strains: E1, 49.30A, E2, 1.7L, T3A.259, T3A.140, T08024, E26, E22 and T07. The strains E26, E22 and T07 did not cause mortality for P. xylostella larvae. The P. xylostella larvae have a very high susceptibility pattern to the concentrations evaluated for six strains tested (E1, 49.30A, E2, 1.7L, T3A.259 and T3A.140). Only the T08.024 strain allowed the estimation of lethal concentration that kills 50% of the population (2.7 spores/mL).
Ante la cementización de la vida: ¡Vamos a la playa!
Authors: Blaseotto Azul Martina
Published: January 2022

¿Cómo dibujar el mar, atmósfera nunca igual a sí misma e ingobernable? ¿Cuál es lamemoria estética del territorio «playa»? ¿Qué operaciones antrópicas ponen en riesgoeste territorio? Vamos a la playa es una invitación a pensar la especificidad de una geografíadeterminada dejando de lado la idea universal del litoral marítimo y viajandopor las capas de su construcción política y social. En tiempos de cambio climático ycrisis social, ecológica y ambiental, la novela gráfica retrata de manera descarnada elparaíso perdido al borde del mar ante el avance indiscriminado y suicida del desarrolloinmobiliario. Vamos a la playa tiene que ver no solo con la playa, sino con lo que deplaya queda en un mundo dominado por la economía de mercado y la obsoletizaciónpermanente de la concepción «Estado de Bienestar». Se investiga el sustrato formalque permite un relato en clave geopolítica del territorio bonaerense marginal. Lapuesta en página, la variedad de composiciones gráficas y pictóricas, la inclusión defotografías originales, las citas dibujadas a tomas fotográficas y a pinturas históricasson recursos que buscan explícitamente anclar el relato en un realismo de tipo documental,en paralelo a sostener operaciones discursivas ficcionales. En este ensayoreflexiono sobre las tensiones que marcan el hacer (proceso, búsqueda), tanto como elplano simbólico resultante (lo hecho).
Experiencias gráficas de Chantal Montellier y Ana Penyas para la concienciación medioambiental. La autobiografía subterránea
Authors: Blanco-Cordón Tatiana
Published: January 2022

Nuestro estudio pretende dilucidar qué recursos iconotextuales se evidencian particularmentesignificativos en la transmisión del relato eco-crítico. Las novelas gráficasTchernobyl mon amour (Chantal Montellier, 2006) y Todo bajo el sol (Ana Penyas,2021) abordan lo medioambiental desde temáticas y contextos de producción diferentesy, sin embargo, comparten sugerentes mecanismos narrativos. Tanto la técnicadel collage, en la que se plantea una particular interacción entre dibujo y fotografía,como la «autobiografía subterránea», situada entre lo novelístico y lo experiencial, semuestran determinantes en la densidad y alcance al fenómeno socio-medioambientalpropuesto.
La historieta como vehículo de conocimiento en riesgos naturales. Algues vertes: l’histoire interdite
Authors: Caraballo Laura
Published: January 2022

Algues vertes: l’histoire interdite (Delcourt, Francia) nos permitirá establecer una miradaque concibe el lenguaje de este medio como idóneo para sintetizar los contenidosen el marco de la pedagogía y la divulgación científica. La historieta es a menudoconcebida como un lenguaje narrativo simplificador y esquematizador. Contrariamente,como veremos en el caso de Algues vertes…, el potencial y el alcance de lahistorieta se definen por su complejidad. Posee la capacidad de convertir los datosen un objeto de placer de lectura, así como en un estímulo para la reflexión, permitiendoallanar ciertas dificultades de apropiación por parte del público, específicamenteaquel expuesto a riesgos naturales concretos. Estas características se expresanampliamente en los nuevos géneros y usos de la historieta contemporánea: reportajeperiodístico, documental, de investigación o medioambiental, entre otros. A partir deuna ardua investigación periodística sobre las mareas verdes en la región de Bretaña yel peligro que comportan, la periodista Inès Van Léraud se asocia al dibujante PierreHove y la colorista Mathilda para poner en imágenes y secuencias una exuberantemasa de información y conocimiento de diferentes tipos (estadísticas, opiniones,testimonios, explicitación de operaciones mediáticas y lobbys, etc.) en relación a estedaño ambiental. Nuestro análisis busca rastrear aquellas operaciones iconotextualesy secuenciales que vehiculizan conocimiento y concienciación. Cabe decir que prestamosuna atención particular en el aspecto visual, como, por ejemplo, las eleccionescromáticas, formales y los diferentes modos de representación y de puesta en páginaque cohabitan en esta obra.
Reseña de "Keywords for Comics Studies" de Ramzi Fawaz, Shelley Streeby y Deborah Elizabeth Whaley (eds.)
Authors: Sendón Óscar
Published: January 2022

Reseña de "Keywords for Comics Studies" de Ramzi Fawaz, Shelley Streeby y Deborah Elizabeth Whaley (eds.)
Chemoselective N-acylation of indoles using thioesters as acyl source
Authors: Du Tianri , Wei Xiangmu , Xu Honghong , Zhang Xin , Fang Ruiru , Yuan Zheng , Liang Zhi , Li Yahui
Published: January 2022

The selective acylation of indoles often requires sensitive and reactive acyl chloride derivatives. Here, we report a mild, efficient, functional group tolerant, and highly chemoselective N-acylation of indoles using thioesters as a stable acyl source. A series of indoleamides have been obtained with moderate to good yields. In addition, heterocycles, such as carbazole, can also be used as nucleophiles in this reaction.
Data Journalist : One Data Indonesia (SDI) Weak of Data
Authors: Arief Maulana , Muthmainnah Amalia Nurul
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

The government built Satu Data Indonesia (SDI) as part of implementing the principle of open government. Through SDI, all data from the government from in Indonesia including data from government agencies can be easily accessed by visiting the data.go.id website.

This situation should be a good ecosystem to develop data journalism in Indonesia, because the government provides abundant data. This study aims to see the implementation of SDI from the perspective of data journalists. Data journalist is a profession that is directly related to SDI, they are tasked with managing data to be presented to the public in a simple and easy-to-understand manner for the general public. By interviewing data journalists from Katadata and Lokadata (two online media who declare themselves as data journalism), this qualitative research is expected to provide constructive input on the implementation of One Data Indonesia. In general, the existence of SDI is appreciated by data journalists. But data journalists from Katadata and Lokadata do not use SDI as part of their news-seeking activities. They see SDI has  basic problems, the lack of data availability, data relevance problems, problems with easy data access, no data updates (updates) to data reliability. In addition, problems with data updating and data reliability, on the other hand, not all regions in Indonesia are connected to SDI. As a result, data journalists do not use Satu Data Indonesia as an instrument to make news. They prefer to dig up data through data mining on the internet and collect data gradually in their data bank for processing at a later date.

 

Keywords: One Data Indonesia, Open Government, Online Media, Data Journalism
Three new species of Iodosphaeria (Xylariomycetidae): I. chiayiensis, I. jinghongensis and I. thailandica
Authors: Dissanayake Lakmali S. , Marasinghe Diana S. , Samarakoon Milan C. , Maharachchikumbura Sajeewa S.N. , Mortimer Peter E. , Hyde Kevin D. , Kuo Chang-Hsin , Kang Ji-Chuan
Published: January 2022

Three fungal specimens (two sexual and one asexual) were collected during fieldwork conducted in China, Taiwan and Thailand. Both sexual morphs share superficial, black ascomata surrounded by flexuous setae; 8-spored, unitunicate, cylindrical asci, with J+, apical ring, and ellipsoidal to allantoid, aseptate, guttulate ascospores. The asexual morph has ceratosporium-like conidia arising from aerial hyphae with a single arm and are usually attached or with 2–3 arms, brown, often with a subglobose to conical cell at the point of attachment. Morphological examinations and phylogenetic analyses of a combined LSU-ITS dataset via maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses indicated that these three collections were new species. Iodosphaeria chiayiensis (sexual morph), I. thailandica (sexual morph) and I. jinghongensis (asexual morph) are therefore introduced as new species in this study. Iodosphaeria chiayiensis has small, hyaline and ellipsoidal to allantoid ascospores, while I. thailandica has large ascomata, cylindrical to allantoid asci and hyaline to pale brown ascospores.
The genus Cletocamptus (Harpacticoida, Canthocamptidae): a reappraisal, with proposal of a new subfamily, a new genus, and a new species
Authors: Gómez Samuel , Yáñez-Rivera Beatriz
Published: January 2022

A new species of Cletocamptus closely related to C. helobius was found in sediment samples taken from a polluted estuarine system in north-western Mexico. The genus Cletocamptus was relegated to species incertae sedis in 1986, and this finding prompted us to evaluate the current taxonomic position of the genus within the Canthocamptidae. The latter has been subdivided in several, seemingly unnatural subfamilies in the past to better understand the relationships between its constituent taxa. In this study we propose a new subfamily, the Cletocamptinaesubfam. nov. for Amphibiperita, Cletocamptus, and Cletocamptoides gen. nov., defined by the synapomorphic subdistal ventral spinules on the rostrum. The genus Cletocamptoidesgen. nov. is proposed for C. helobius, C. merbokensis, and C. biushelosp. nov., and is supported by the ‘cletodid’ shape of the body and the reduced one-segmented endopod of the fourth swimming leg. Cletocamptus includes all the other species with long slender spinules on the posterior margin of prosomites and with the sexually modified inner spine on the second endopodal segment of the second swimming leg in the males. Amphibiperita retained the primitive female fifth leg with exopod and baseoendopod separated, and the primitive prehensile endopod of the first leg, but is defined by the loss of the antennary exopod. Other (syn)apomorphies are given, and the evolution of the mandibular palp is briefly discussed. Additionally, a diagnosis for the new subfamily, Cletocamptinaesubfam. nov., an amended narrower diagnosis for Cletocamptus, the diagnosis for Cletocamptoidesgen. nov., and a phylogenetic analysis supporting the proposal of these new taxa, are given.
Malêtre chez les vieux en institution ou le confinement au carré
Authors: Talpin Jean-Marc , Minjard Raphaël
Published: January 2022

Après avoir proposé l’ ehpad en temps de Covid et de confinement comme une institution totale (I. Goffman) au carré, les auteurs s’attachent à repérer comment Covid et confinement ont révélé, amplifié, certains des enjeux fantastiques ordinairement contenus dans le cadre institutionnel et le métacadre social, en particulier quant à la mort, mort dont l’angoisse est bien souvent traitée en l’assignant à la vieillesse tant du côté des professionnels que des familles. La dernière partie insiste plus particulièrement sur la mise à mal des liens du fait des confinements, montrant que la vie n’est alors pensée que sous l’angle biologique, au déni des dimensions psychiques d’étayage et d’investissements mutuels.
Pandémie et processus sociopsychiques
Authors: Laoukili Abdelaâli
Published: January 2022

La crise de la pandémie, par son ampleur et ses effets inédits, s’est accompagnée d’une crise du langage. Nous avons réagi d’abord par la sidération, l’absence ou la perte des mots pour dire et reconnaître ce qui se passait. Ses conséquences multiples, tant au niveau individuel, collectif, qu’au niveau des institutions et de la société dans son ensemble ne sont pas encore bien identifiées et mises en mots. Les éprouvés subjectifs, individuels et collectifs, comme les idées et les pensées, ne peuvent encore faire l’objet d’une élaboration et d’une élucidation, tant que la crise dure, et ses aléas et imprévus sont vécus au jour le jour. Au travers d’un examen critique et dialectique des processus sociopsychiques à l’œuvre dans les sociétés, tant au niveau des institutions que des individus et des groupes, l’article cherchera à « mettre en mots » quelques caractéristiques et quelques enseignements de cette crise.
Pointwise estimates of the solution to one dimensional compressible Naiver-Stokes equations in half space
Authors: Li Hailiang , Tang Houzhi , Wang Haitao
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we study the global existence and pointwise behavior of classical solution to one dimensional isentropic Navier-Stokes equations with mixed type boundary condition in half space. Based on classical energy method for half space problem, the global existence of classical solution is established firstly. Through analyzing the quantitative relationships of Green's function between Cauchy problem and initial boundary value problem, we observe that the leading part of Green's function for the initial boundary value problem is composed of three items: delta function, diffusive heat kernel, and reflected term from the boundary. Then applying Duhamel's principle yields the explicit expression of solution. With the help of accurate estimates for nonlinear wave coupling and the elliptic structure of velocity, the pointwise behavior of the solution is obtained under some appropriate assumptions on the initial data. Our results prove that the solution converges to the equilibrium state at the optimal decay rate \begin{document}$ (1+t)^{-\frac{1}{2}} $\end{document} in \begin{document}$ L^\infty $\end{document} norm.
Optimal recycling price strategy of clothing enterprises based on closed-loop supply chain
Authors: Cao Huaqing , Ji Xiaofen
Published: January 2022

More and more garment enterprises begin to pay attention to the importance of recycling, take the corresponding recycling strategy to recycle garment products and remanufacture, forming a closed-loop supply chain (CLSC). In reality, recycling is a complex system, the recycling strategy of clothing brands will not only affect the reverse channel of closed-loop supply chain, but also affect the consumer demand of forward channel, and then affect the profit of supply chain. In order to solve this problem, we propose a CLSC composed of a manufacturer, a retailer and a collector, establish three different Stackelberg leadership models, and derive the optimal recycling strategy. Our results show that consumers' sensitivity to the recycling price will affect the optimal decision of supply chain members. The increase of the recycling market is not always beneficial to the profits of supply chain members. By comparing the profits of the three models, it is found that the retailer leadership model is the most effective scenario of CLCS. The results of this paper provide a reference for garment enterprises to formulate recycling strategies.
Functional data analysis: Application to daily observation of COVID-19 prevalence in France
Authors: Oshinubi Kayode ,   Laboratory AGEIS EA 7407, Team Tools for e-Gnosis Medical & Labcom CNRS/UGA/OrangeLabs Telecom4Health, Faculty of Medicine, University Grenoble Alpes (UGA), 38700 La Tronche, France, Ibrahim Firas , Rachdi Mustapha , Demongeot Jacques
Published: January 2022

In this paper we use the technique of functional data analysis to model daily hospitalized, deceased, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) cases and return home patient numbers along the COVID-19 outbreak, considered as functional data across different departments in France while our response variables are numbers of vaccinations, deaths, infected, recovered and tests in France. These sets of data were considered before and after vaccination started in France. After smoothing our data set, analysis based on functional principal components method was performed. Then, a clustering using k-means techniques was done to understand the dynamics of the pandemic in different French departments according to their geographical location on France map. We also performed canonical correlations analysis between variables. Finally, we made some predictions to assess the accuracy of the method using functional linear regression models.
Liapounoff type inequality for pseudo-integral of interval-valued function
Authors: Grbić Tatjana ,   Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia, Medić Slavica , Duraković Nataša , Buhmiler Sandra , Dumnić Slaviša , Jerebic Janja ,   Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Maribor, Kranj 6230, Slovenia
Published: January 2022

In this paper, two new Liapounoff type inequalities in terms of pseudo-analysis dealing with set-valued functions are given. The first one is given for a pseudo-integral of set-valued function where pseudo-operations are given by a generator $ g:[0, \infty]\to [0, \infty] $ and the second one is given for the semiring $ ([0, \infty], \sup, \odot) $ with generated pseudo-multiplication. The interval Liapounoff inequality is applied for estimation of interval-valued central $ g $-moment of order $ n $ for interval-valued functions in a $ g $-semiring.
Event-triggered bipartite consensus of multi-agent systems in signed networks
Authors: Li Hongjie ,   College of Data Science, Jiaxing University, Zhejiang, 314001, China
Published: January 2022

This paper focuses on the event-triggered bipartite consensus of multi-agent systems in signed networks, where the dynamics of each agent is assumed to be Lur'e system, and both the cooperative interaction and antagonistic interaction are allowed among neighbor agents. A novel event-triggered communication scheme is presented to save limited network resources, and distributed bipartite control techniques are raised to address the bipartite leaderless consensus and bipartite leader-following consensus respectively. By virtue of the Lyapunov stability theory and algebraic graph theory, bipartite consensus conditions are derived, which can be easily solved by MATLAB. In addition, the upper bounds of the sampling period and triggered parameter can be estimated. Finally, two examples are employed to show the validity and advantage of the proposed transmission scheme.
Foreign but Familiar
Authors: Hartzell Kathryn
Published: January 2022

The global rise of the South Korean entertainment industry, commonly described as the Korean wave or hallyu, has been the subject of scholarly study because it presents a challenge to Western media hegemony. This chapter uses mixed methods to assess how hybridized genre conventions and familiar storytelling structures in South Korean television dramas create a media product that is accessible to a diverse fandom. The Korean drama fandom extends beyond Eastern Asia and the Asian diaspora, and there is a dearth of research on this larger global audience. Theories of cultural proximity are insufficient to explain a popularity that transcends culture and language. The importance of a media text's structure is also under-studied in research on fandom. By combining survey data from Korean drama fans living outside of South Korea with a critical assessment of the use of melodrama and other genre conventions in Korean dramas, this chapter argues that the shared symbolic language of genre plays an important role in building a global fanbase.
The Dehumanising Consequences of Gamification
Authors: Fitzpatrick Sean , Marsh Timothy
Published: January 2022

While gamification represents one of the largest technology trends of the last decade, only a limited selection of literature exists that explores the negative outcomes of contemporary gamified services, applications, and systems. This chapter explores the consequences of gamified systems and services, investigating contemporary implementations of gamification and acknowledging the ethical concerns raised by researchers towards contemporary gamified services. This chapter further explores these ethical concerns through a critical instance case study of China's Social Credit System and arrives at informed observations on the potential for gamified cycles of reward and punishment to encourage unethical activity within organisations as well as legitimise ideological objectives that violate fundamental human rights. Recommendations are then made for researchers to explore this potential further, while recognising how gamification may justify the authority and practices of organisations, particularly those engaged in unethical and dehumanising behaviour.
Gamifying Cultural Heritage. Education, Tourism Development, and Territory Promotion
Authors: Mariotti Samanta
Published: January 2022

In recent years, communication and digital technologies have widely affected the cultural heritage sector, offering incredible opportunities to enhance the experiential value of heritage assets and improve cultural activities. Furthermore, another trend has gained significant attention: increasing users' engagement through gamification. Several studies have shown the efficacy of gamification for learning achievements, and gaming is also emerging as a useful tool for touristic objectives such as marketing, dynamic engagement with users, and audience development. This chapter aims at presenting two Italian game projects for mobile devices, created to enhance and promote the cultural offer of two peculiar territories. Game design choices, objectives, and outcomes will be discussed to highlight the benefits and limits of these tools and point out the changing practices of cultural institutions and local administrations, which are showing an increasing interest in the exploitation of video games, considering them as strategic marketing tools to promote cultural heritage and tourism.
Hybridized Ranking Model for Prioritizing Functional Software Requirements
Authors: Gambo Ishaya Peni , Ikono Rhoda , Iroju Olaronke Ganiat , Omodunbi Theresa Olubukola , Zohoun Oswaldo Kenan
Published: January 2022

Many difficulties exist when defining and deciding which requirements should be implemented first in an ultra-large-scale multi-stakeholder involved system. This often leads to system failure and product dissatisfaction. This paper established a suitable method supporting more precise and accurate decision-making in prioritizing requirements. The authors collected and analyzed a large number of software requirements in a case study, which was based on real-life practices and processes. Structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 600 stakeholders. They formulated a model based on the analyzed requirements using the CBRanking and the MACBETH approaches. They ranked the requirements and considered the requirements' relative importance according to the stakeholders' opinions. Thus, a hybridized mathematical model was proposed for prioritizing these functional requirements and evaluating its performance for consistency and completeness. The results showed the software's best functional requirements concerning the customers' expectations.
Visco-Elastic Properties of Semi-Solid Alloys
Authors: Tocci Marialaura , Pola Annalisa , Modigell Michael
Published: January 2022

Oscillation and creep experiments have been performed with Semi-Solid Material (SSM) AlSi7 with 35% solid fraction to investigate the early visco-elastic properties after shearing of the material in a Searle Rheometer. The preparation of the SSM has been done in situ using a standard procedure to guarantee for all experiments the same initial properties of the material. First, oscillation experiments at low amplitude allowed to study the evolution of material structure with time. Subsequently, creep experiments have been performed changing the resting period based on previous results. Creep experiments are characterized by exposing the material to a sudden increase of shear stress. The resolution in time has been 0.01 seconds, which allows observing the dynamics of the development of visco-elastic properties.The material exhibits viscoelastic properties that are becoming more pronounced with longer resting time. This is in accordance with previous experiments where the ratio between elastic and viscous properties increases with increasing resting time. The development of the elastic properties follows the increase of the yield stress due to the creation of an internal structure of the material, which starts immediately after stopping shearing. The investigation of the short-term response of SSM can be particularly relevant for industrial practice, where material deformation during die filling is very fast and the material flow does not take place in steady-state condition.
Impact of Brand Awareness on Customer E-loyalty, in Online Banking of Sri Lanka: With the Mediating Effect of Emotional Attachment with Reference to Western Province of Sri Lanka
Authors: Ferdinando K. P. S. S. M. D. D. S. , Yatigammana M. R. K. N.
Published: January 2022

There is a huge need for digital presence in the modern context in businesses. Not only for product based companies but service providing companies such as banks. This is a timely research as banks are moving towards digitalization with the pandemic. Therefore, customer loyalty should be secured when banks provide online banking facilities to customers. The research will be focused on the how brand awareness impacts customer E loyalty when banks provide online banking facilities.  In addition, how emotional attachment mediates this impact. Narrowing down the scope to the western province of Sri Lanka, convenience sampling method was adopted to gather data as it adheres with previous literature. Data analysis was done by performing bivariate regression, multiple regression and sobel test to identify the mediating effect. The findings show a significant positive relationship between brand awareness and customer E loyalty and also that there is a mediating effect of emotional attachment. The limitations of the study are the non-generalizability to other industries and the limitedness for the western province in Sri Lanka. The significance of the study is that there a very handful studies done with regard to brand awareness and customer E loyalty in Sri Lanka and it will be very beneficial for brand managers in banks to look into this relationship when providing new online banking facilities and providing a better online service that will enhance brand awareness. Further giving prominence to facilities that creates higher emotional attachment so higher E customer loyalty will be retained.
Heart Diseases, Anxiety Disorders, and Negative Thoughts
Authors: Karki Mina , Mahara Gehendra
Published: January 2022

The mind and the heart are inextricably linked. Depression, worry, loneliness, anger, and chronic stress are all negative mental states that can increase the risk of heart disease or worsen existing cardiac problems. Cardiomyopathy develops in response to suddenly hearing stressful news, such as a loved one diagnosed with cancer. Thus, intense emotions, such as anger, can also lead to abnormal heart rhythms. When you are stressed, your blood pressure and heart rate both rise. Chronic stress causes your body to produce harmful quantities of stress hormones such as cortisol, which can alter blood clots. All of these factors can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Negative thoughts, feelings, or emotions may influence lifestyle patterns, increasing the risk of heart disease. People who are chronically stressed, nervous, sad, or angry are more likely to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, smoke, overeat, and exercise insufficiently– all harmful habits that are detrimental to their heart health.
Uniform property for certain -algebras
Authors: Fan Qingzhai , Zhang Shan
Published: January 2022

In this paper, letAbe an infinite-dimensional stably finite unital simple separable$\mathrm {C^*}$-algebra. Let$B\subset A$be a centrally large subalgebra inAsuch thatBhas uniform property$\Gamma $. Then we prove thatAhas uniform property$\Gamma $. Let$\Omega $be a class of stably finite unital$\mathrm {C^*}$-algebras such that for any$B\in \Omega $,Bhas uniform property$\Gamma $. Then we show thatAhas uniform property$\Gamma $for any simple unital$\mathrm {C^*}$-algebra$A\in \rm {TA}\Omega $.
Quantum projective planes finite over their centers
Authors: Itaba Ayako , Mori Izuru
Published: January 2022

For a three-dimensional quantum polynomial algebra
$A=\mathcal {A}(E,\sigma )$
, Artin, Tate, and Van den Bergh showed that A is finite over its center if and only if
$|\sigma |<\infty $
. Moreover, Artin showed that if A is finite over its center and
$E\neq \mathbb P^{2}$
, then A has a fat point module, which plays an important role in noncommutative algebraic geometry; however, the converse is not true in general. In this paper, we will show that if
$E\neq \mathbb P^{2}$
, then A has a fat point module if and only if the quantum projective plane
${\sf Proj}_{\text {nc}} A$
is finite over its center in the sense of this paper if and only if
$|\nu ^{*}\sigma ^{3}|<\infty $
where
$\nu $
is the Nakayama automorphism of A. In particular, we will show that if the second Hessian of E is zero, then A has no fat point module.
Preliminary efficacy of fluticasone delivered by a novel device in recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Hansen F.S. , Djupesland P.G. , Fokkens W.J.
Published: January 2022

Objective: To assess whether delivery of fluticasone propionate using a novel bi-directional delivery device (Opt-FP) offers therapeutic benefits in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods: A prospective, single centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in adult subjects (n=20) with CRS without nasal polyps or only cobblestoned mucosa. Subjects received Opt-FP 400 µg or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks (n=10/group). Outcome measures included symptom scores, RSOM-31, CRS VAS, nasendoscopy, peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: Endoscopy score for oedema showed a highly significant and progressive improvement (12 weeks (median scores): Opt-FP -4.0, PBO -1.0, p=0.015). PNIF increased significantly during Opt-FP treatment compared to placebo (4 weeks: p=0.006; 8 weeks: p=0.03). After 12 weeks MRI scores in the Opt-FP group improved against baseline (p=0.039) and a non-significant trend was seen versus placebo. The nasal RSOM-31 subscale was significantly improved with Opt-FP treatment (4 weeks: p<0.009, 8 weeks: p<0.016, 12 weeks: NS). Sense of smell, nasal discomfort and combined score were all significantly improved (p<0.05). The Opt-FP was well tolerated. Conclusions: The OptiNose breath-actuated bi-directional delivery device administering fluticasone propionate (400 µg b.i.d.) is an effective and well tolerated treatment for recalcitrant CRS.
Plasma cytokenes quantification among Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness cases and controls in Rumphi, Malawi
Authors: Kamoto Kelita , Chiwaya Arthur , Nambala Peter , Chammudzi Pricilla , Senga Edward , Chisi John , Matovu Enock , Musaya Janelisa
Published: January 2022

IntroductionTrypanosoma brucei (T.b.) rhodesiense is the cause of the acute form of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in eastern and southern  African countries, including Malawi. For a long time, untreated HAT infections were believed to be 100% fatal. However, recent studies  show that infection by T.b. rhodesiense can result in a wide range of clinical outcomes in its human host. Apart from other factors such  as parasite diversity, cytokines have been strongly implicated to play a major role in the outcome of T.b. rhodesiense infections. In this study, we quantify the levels of three cytokines Interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor Necrotic Factor alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin -10 (IL-10) in plasma amongst HAT cases (treated and untreated) and controls recruited during medical survey. MethodsTwo-hundred and thirty-three plasma samples (HAT cases and controls) from Rumphi, one of the endemic areas in Malawi were used.  Blood collected was centrifuged, plasma extracted and stored in cryovials at -800 C until processing. Plasma cytokine concentration was measured using ELISA. ResultsPlasma samples for 233 individuals, 76 HAT cases and 157 controls were quantified. Among the cases, nine had their plasma collected before treatment (untreated) and the rest were treated before blood for plasma analysis was collected. Controls had significantly higher mean plasmatic levels of TNF-α (94.5 ±474.12 pg/ml) and IL-8 (2258.6 ±5227.4 pg/ml) than cases TNF-α (29.35±181.58 pg/ml) and IL-8 (1191.3±4236.09 pg/ml). Controls and cases had similar mean levels of IL-10 in plasma. Only IL-8 had statistically significant higher median levels in the untreated than treated HAT cases P=0.006.ConclusionOur data suggest that cytokines could be considered as biomarkers of HAT infection and treatment. Further studies with a larger cohort of cases and additional cytokines which are known to be associated with HAT infection outcomes will be required to evaluate these cytokines further.
Histomorphological assessment of non-neoplastic renal diseases at autopsy: an institutional experience in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Omenai Sebastian A. , Ajani Mustapha A. , Nwadiokwu John I. , Okolo Clement A.
Published: January 2022

BackgroundAutopsy remains an invaluable resource for medical education and establishing diagnosis of diseases that were missed prior to death. Many patients on admission in hospitals suffer kidney diseases that may contribute to their morbidity and/or mortality. The kidneys from autopsies provide opportunity to diagnose and understand some of these non-neoplastic renal lesions. This study aimed to present the frequency of non-neoplastic renal diseases at autopsy.Methods We conducted a five-year retrospective review of post-mortem records of deceased who had autopsy. Data such as age, sex, cause of death, and kidney lesions were extracted from the post-mortem records and clinical details were gotten from the clinical summaries in the autopsy reports. The kidneys were examined for pathological findings that were then classified into glomerular, tubulointerstitial (tubulointerstitial nephritis and other tubular lesions such as tubular necrosis, casts and fibrosis) and vascular lesions.Results A total of seventy (70) cases met the inclusion criteria with 91.4% having significant non- neoplastic renal lesions. The mean age of the deceased was 57.7years (18years – 91years). Males accounted for 65.7% of the cases. Glomerular lesions were seen in 84.3% of the cases, tubulointerstitial nephritis in 41.6% of cases, vascular lesions were seen in 30% of the cases and other tubular lesions (such as stones, casts and tubular necrosis) were seen in 52.9% of the cases. Cardiovascular diseases and infections were the major causes of death in these patients, accounting for 40% and 27% respectively. Renal diseases were attributed to immediate cause of death in 10% of the cases.Conclusion The kidney at autopsy provides a valuable renal pathology educational tool, as a wide range of medical renal lesions can be seen from kidneys examined at post mortem.
How Half-Causation can enlighten the drafting of patent claims
Authors: Abolkheiro Mo
Published: January 2022

The author’s 2019 article ‘If You Wish to Invent Then Follow the Half-Causation Method’ presented ‘Half-Causation’, which is a philosophical model for the systemization of the invention process. It consists of five phases of reasoning, each terminating with taking a ‘logical branch’. This paper has two objectives. The first (and preliminary) objective is to introduce a readership in patent practices (and theory) to Half-Causation. The second (and primary) objective is to highlight how Half-Causation can be practically useful to patent practitioners (and perhaps ultimately theorists), specifically in terms of enlightening the drafting of patent claims. In order to do this effectively, the reader is presented with a case which they can engage with to see for themselves how Half-Causation can help, step by step. The presented case was the subject of the USPTO’s 2019 patent drafting competition. It consists of rather convoluted instructions received from an ‘imaginary’ client about their ‘imaginary’ invention. The case is an excellent opportunity to illustrate how Half-Causation as a philosophical model can be practically useful. Two Half-Causation tools are implemented.

The first is Half-Causation Branching, which allows the logical mapping of the inventing space, within which the imaginary invention is located. Implementing this tool reveals two alternative nearby inventions, which if left out of the sought patent protection would render any eventually granted patent practically worthless. Following that, Half-Causation Encapsulation comes to the rescue by allowing the encapsulation of the original imaginary invention, plus the two alternative nearby ones, all in a manner that provides the all-important unity of invention

On the one hand, patent agents are not supposed to contribute to their client’s inventive concept to the extent that they become co-inventors. On the other hand, scientists and engineers are not supposed to dedicate so much time and effort to learning about complex patent laws as to become patent agents. Arguably, each should aim to excel in their discipline. However, a structured dialogue should be considerably helpful to each and to the patent process as a whole. It is proposed that Half-Causation, with its logical structure, can provide a basis for such a dialogue.

Besides targeting a readership in patent practices and theory, this paper should be of interest to multiple readerships, for example in engineering design, medical discovery and philosophy of technology.
Development of time-lapse photography for the population monitoring of a colonial seabird.
Authors:   , Edney Alice
Published: January 2022

Seabirds are one of the most threatened groups of birds and large-scale monitoring is needed to link changing population trends to causative factors, in order to address population declines. Rapid advances in technology are offering new and exciting possibilities to expand monitoring over larger spatial and temporal scales, however, they also raise new challenges, such as dealing with increased amounts of data and ensuring the data obtained are comparable to that from ‘traditional’ monitoring methods. Specifically, this research focused on the use of time-lapse cameras to monitor the Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, a species listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Chapters one and two used a case study on Skomer Island, Wales, to compare measurements of productivity and phenology obtained from fieldwork with expert analysis of time-lapse images. Chapter two then went on to explore the effects of weather on Kittiwake nest survival on Skomer. Chapter three used data from across a much wider area, to compare expert analysis of time-lapse images with citizen science analysis. This study showed that both field and image-derived data have inherent biases, but together can inform meaningful investigation into the factors contributing to Kittiwake decline. I found that strong westerly winds may be reducing egg and chick survival at the Wick colony, Skomer, and high daily maximum temperatures could also be lowering egg survival. If these results represent a longer-term pattern, then it could have important implications for Kittiwake population dynamics with climate change, which is predicted to increase the frequency and intensity of weather extremes. Expanding the scale of monitoring via the citizen science project, Seabird Watch, was found to have promising potential; although further work is needed to ensure volunteer data are as good as expert classification. Many factors affected the accuracy of citizen science results and these must be carefully considered before using the data to answer bigger scientific questions. Overall, this study has shown the potential of using time-lapse imagery to monitor a cliff-nesting seabird and will likely become an increasingly cost-effective monitoring solution in the coming years.
From resolvents to generalized equations and quasi-variational inequalities: existence and differentiability
Authors: Wachsmuth Gerd
Published: January 2022

We consider a generalized equation governed by a strongly monotone and
Lipschitz single-valued mapping and a maximally monotone set-valued mapping in
a Hilbert space. We are interested in the sensitivity of solutions w.r.t.
perturbations of both mappings. We demonstrate that the directional
differentiability of the solution map can be verified by using the directional
differentiability of the single-valued operator and of the resolvent of the
set-valued mapping. The result is applied to quasi-generalized equations in
which we have an additional dependence of the solution within the set-valued
part of the equation.