bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge management processes and organizational performance: the mediating role of organizational learning
Authors: Obeso María , Hernández-Linares Remedios , López-Fernández María Concepción , Serrano-Bedia Ana María
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it aims to analyze the individual influence of different knowledge management practises (KMP) on firm performance. Second, it aims to analyze the mediating role of organizational learning (OL) between each KMP and performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A telephone-survey was applied in 2018 to the managers of 400 Spanish firms. The data retrieved was analyzed by using multiple regression analysis.

Findings

Knowledge generation (KG) and knowledge flow (KF) promote firm performance, while there is not a direct association between knowledge storage and performance. OL mediates the relationship between KG and performance, as well as between KF and performance.

Research limitations/implications

First, this research confirms that not all the KMP have a direct effect on firm performance, thus, future research would need to differentiate between different KMP. Second, this paper is pioneering in providing empirical evidence that OL mediates the KMP – performance relationship. Third, the empirical study was performed in a context non-researched yet by the literature considering KMP individually: Spain.

Practical implications

First, besides the results managers should focus their efforts in practises related to KG and application. Second, OL mediating suggests that managers should invest in managerial commitment to promote a shared culture, shared vision, open-mind to new ideas and a lot of dialogue.

Originality/value

This is the first study that investigates how KMP contribute to firm performance by incorporating the mediating impact of OL. The results will help organizations to identify the KMP improving the performance.
Exploring influencing factors of offline knowledge service transactions on an online-to-offline knowledge-sharing economy platform
Authors: Wang Changyu , Mei Jinming , Feng Jiaojiao
Published: July 2020

Purpose

Online-to-offline (O2O) knowledge-sharing economy platforms have emerged as a new public channel for matching up knowledge providers with knowledge seekers. It can facilitate offline provision and consumption of high-quality tacit knowledge around a topic upon online search and payment (called offline knowledge service transaction). However, limited research investigated this new knowledge-sharing phenomenon in the field of knowledge management (KM). The purpose of this paper is to enrich KM literature by developing a theoretical model to explore determinants of offline knowledge service transactions via O2O knowledge-sharing economy platforms from both quality and price perspectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested with objective data crawled from Zaihang – a leading O2O knowledge-sharing economy platform in China.

Findings

The results show that, in the context of O2O knowledge-sharing economy, transactions of an offline knowledge service are positively related to its provider’s popularity, but negatively related to the price. Moreover, knowledge seekers are more likely to accept and purchase a high-priced service of a knowledge topic with a higher overall review score and supplied by a provider with lower popularity and shorter response time. However, the length of offline knowledge service has no significant association with its transactions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to KM literature through investigating a new phenomenon of tacit knowledge sharing (including provision and consumption) in the context of O2O service and the sharing economy. The results give implications for knowledge providers and platform managers to facilitate online transactions of offline knowledge services.
Fe3O4@SiO2 magnetic nanocomposites as adsorbents for removal of diazinon from aqueous solution: isotherm and kinetic study
Authors: Shamsizadeh Zahra , Ehrampoush Mohammad Hassan , Dehghani Firouzabadi Zahra , Jasemi Zad Tahereh , Molavi Fereshteh , Ebrahimi Ali Asghar , Kamranifar Mohammad
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to the synthesis of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites and using it as an adsorbent for removal of diazinon from aqueous solutions. Structural characteristics of the synthesized magnetic nanocomposite were described by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of different parameters including pH (2-10), contact time (1-180 min), adsorbent dosage (100-2000 mg L−1) and initial diazinon concentration (0.5–20 mg L−1) on the removal processes were studied. Finally, isotherm and kinetic and of adsorption process of diazinon onto Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites were investigated.

Findings

The maximum removal efficiency of diazinon (96%) was found at 180 min with 1000 mg L−1 adsorbent dosage using 0.5 mg L−1 diazinon concentration at pH = 7. The experimental results revealed that data were best fit with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.971) and the adsorption capacity was 10.90 mg g−1. The adsorption isotherm was accordant to Langmuir isotherm.

Originality/value

In the present study, the magnetic nanocomposites were synthesized and used as an absorbent for the removal of diazinon. The developed method had advantages such as the good ability of Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites to remove diazinon from aqueous solution and the magnetic separation of this absorbent that make it recoverable nanocomposite. The other advantages of these nanocomposites are rapidity, simplicity and relatively low cost.
Progress in treating chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Gennery Andrew R.
Published: July 2020

Chronic granulomatous disease is a primary immunodeficiency due to a defect in one of six subunits that make up the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase complex. The most commonly defective protein, gp91phox, is inherited in an X‐linked fashion; other defects have autosomal recessive inheritance. Bacterial and fungal infections are common presentations, although inflammatory complications are increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and are challenging to treat. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation offers cure from the disease with improved quality of life; overall survival in the current era is around 85%, with most achieving long‐term cure free of medication. More recently, gene therapy is emerging as an alternative approach. Results using gammaretroviral vectors were disappointing with genotoxicity and loss of efficacy, but preliminary results using lentiviral vectors are extremely encouraging.
Assisted species migration and hybridization to conserve cold‐adapted plants under climate change
Authors: Charles Kimberly M. , Stehlik Ivana
Published: July 2020

Temperature rise due to climate change is putting many arctic and alpine plants at risk of extinction because their ability to react is outpaced by the speed of climate change. We considered assisted species migration (ASM) and hybridization as methods to conserve cold‐adapted species (or the genes thereof) and to minimize the potential perturbation of ecosystems due to climate change. Assisted species migration is the deliberate movement of individuals from their current location to where the species’ ecological requirements will be matched under climate projections. Hybridization refers to crossbreeding of closely related species, where for arctic and alpine plants, 1 parent is the threatened cold‐adapted and the other its reproductively compatible, warm‐adapted sibling. Traditionally, hybridization is viewed as negative and leading to a loss of biodiversity, even though hybridization has increased biodiversity over geological times. Furthermore, the incorporation of warm‐adapted genes into a hybrid may be the only means for the persistence of increasingly more maladapted, cold‐adapted species. If approached with thorough consideration of fitness‐related parameters of the source population and acknowledgement of the important role hybridization has played in shaping current biodiversity, ASM and hybridization could help save partial or whole genomes of key cold‐adapted species at risk due to climate change with minimal negative effects on ecosystem functioning.
Full robotic Hartmann’s reversal: technical aspects and preliminary experience
Authors: Giuliani G. , Formisano G. , Milone M. , Salaj A. , Salvischiani L. , Bianchi P. P.
Published: July 2020

Aim

Laparoscopic Hartmann’s reversal (HR) is a major abdominal operation that is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The robotic approach, with its intrinsic advantages, could potentially overcome the technical complexity of laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term results of a series of 24 robotic HR cases.

Method

The data from 24 patients who underwent robotic HR between September 2016 and July 2019 at two different institutions were prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed. A full robotic single‐docking reversal procedure with intracorporeal anastomosis was performed in all patients.

Results

The mean age and body mass index of the patients were 69 years and 26 kg/m2, respectively. Of the patients, 58% were ≥ 70 years old and 42% had comorbidities (mean Charlson Comorbidity Index 3). The mean operating time was 240 min. There were no cases of conversion to the open or laparoscopic approach. No diverting loop ileostomies were constructed. The mean length of hospital stay was 6 days. Minor complications were recorded in three patients. Neither major complications nor 30‐day readmissions were registered.

Conclusions

Robotic HR is a feasible and safe procedure. The robotic approach has low rates of major complications and conversion and could potentially increase the number of patients undergoing HR.
COVID‐19 and hypertension—evidence and practical management: Guidance from the HOPE Asia Network
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Morisawa Yuji , Sukonthasarn Apichard , Turana Yuda , Chia Yook‐Chin , Park Sungha , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Chen Chen‐Huan , Tay Jam Chin , Li Yan , Wang Ji‐Guang ,   Hypertension Cardiovascular Outcome Prevention, Evidence in Asia (HOPE Asia) Network
Published: July 2020

There are several risk factors for worse outcomes in patients with coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID‐19). Patients with hypertension appear to have a poor prognosis, but there is no direct evidence that hypertension increases the risk of new infection or adverse outcomes independent of age and other risk factors. There is also concern about use of renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors due to a key role of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptors in the entry of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus into cells. However, there is little evidence that use of RAS inhibitors increases the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 virus infection or worsens the course of COVID‐19. Therefore, antihypertensive therapy with these agents should be continued. In addition to acute respiratory distress syndrome, patients with severe COVID‐19 can develop myocardial injury and cytokine storm, resulting in heart failure, arteriovenous thrombosis, and kidney injury. Troponin, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide, D‐dimer, and serum creatinine are biomarkers for these complications and can be used to monitor patients with COVID‐19 and for risk stratification. Other factors that need to be incorporated into patient management strategies during the pandemic include regular exercise to maintain good health status and monitoring of psychological well‐being. For the ongoing management of patients with hypertension, telemedicine‐based home blood pressure monitoring strategies can facilitate maintenance of good blood pressure control while social distancing is maintained. Overall, multidisciplinary management of COVID‐19 based on a rapidly growing body of evidence will help ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, including those with risk factors such as hypertension.
Control of blood pressure levels in patients with premature coronary artery disease: Results from the Genetics of Atherosclerotic Disease study
Authors: Jorge‐Galarza Esteban , Martínez‐Sánchez Froylan D. , Javier‐Montiel Cesar I. , Medina‐Urrutia Aida X. , Posadas‐Romero Carlos , González‐Salazar María C. , Osorio‐Alonso Horacio , Arellano‐Buendía Abraham S. , Juárez‐Rojas Juan G.
Published: July 2020

High blood pressure (BP) is the major cardiovascular‐risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), principally in young patients who have an important and increasing socioeconomic burden. Despite the Seventh Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC‐7), recommended BP target <140/90 mm Hg for patients with stable CAD, in 2017 the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) updated BP target to <130/80 mm Hg. We aimed to analyze the prevalence of BP control in patients with premature CAD using both criteria. In addition, antihypertensive therapy, lifestyle, clinical, and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients were evaluated in order to identify factors associated with the achievement of BP targets. The present study included 1206 patients with CAD diagnosed before 55 and 65 years old in men and women, respectively. Sociodemographic, clinical, and biochemical data were collected. The results indicate that 85.6% and 77.5% of subjects with premature CAD achieved JNC‐7 non‐strict and ACC/AHA strict BP target, respectively. Consistently, number of antihypertensive drugs and hypertension duration >10 years were inversely associated with BP targets, whereas total physical activity and smoking were directly associated with BP targets, regardless of BP criteria. Considering that age, gender, and hypertension duration are non‐modifiable cardiovascular‐risk factors, our results highlight the need for more effective strategies focused on increase physical activity and smoking cessation in young patients with CAD. These healthier lifestyles changes should favor the BP target achievement and reduce the socioeconomic and clinical burden of premature CAD.
Evaluation of influence factors on the width, length, and width to length ratio of the maxillary central incisor: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Yingying , Song Yingshuang , Zhong Qi , Xu Chun
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze whether symmetry of left and right sides, gender, measuring method, and ethnicity have influences on width (W), length (L), and width to length ratio (W/L) of the maxillary central incisor (MCI) and provide a reference for dental treatment planning in the esthetic zone.

Materials and Methods

An electronic search was conduct of the dental literature. Studies reporting data about measurements were included. Data were extracted and analyzed for the differences between left and right, male and female, different measuring methods, and ethnicities by Review Manager and Stata statistical software.

Results

Seventeen studies were included. There were no differences between measurement of the left and right groups, perceived and actual measuring groups. However, differences were found between genders in MCI's W and L but no difference in W/L. Differences were also found between Asians and Caucasian subjects in MCI's W, L, and W/L.

Conclusions

The results of this meta‐analysis suggest that symmetry of left and right sides and measuring method do not influence MCI dimension. Gender and ethnicity are found as influence factors for MCI dimension. We believe these findings can be helpful for dentists to decide and design the dimensions of the restorations for maxillary anterior teeth in clinical practices.

Clinical significance

In the process of designing maxillary anterior teeth for implantation, the contralateral MCI can be helpful to create a symmetrical esthetic restoration. For patients with maxillary anterior tooth loss or diastemas, dentists should divide the left and right space equally and keep the MCI contact area aligned with the midline.

Dentists should take face size and gender into consideration when making treatment plans for the MCI. Facial parameters as well as the size ratios of the previous teeth can be evaluated and may influence the size and shape of the teeth.

When measuring anterior teeth or facial dimensions for esthetic evaluation, the recommended method is to measure the perceived sizes of a facial view image created by a digital camera. Slight discrepancies may exist between the actual and measured values due to the curvature of the arch and the angle in which the photograph was taken.
Gene expression analysis of autofluorescence margins in leukoplakia and oral carcinoma: A pilot study
Authors: Biamonte Flavia , Buffone Caterina , Santamaria Gianluca , Battaglia Anna Martina , Mignogna Chiara , Fortunato Leonzio , Costanzo Francesco Saverio , Giudice Amerigo
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Autofluorescence is considered a useful technique in the early detection of oral mucosal alterations. However, its efficacy to discriminate tumor margins is still under debate. The purpose of this pilot study was to confirm the existence of molecular divergence from the center of a lesion compared to white light and autofluorescence (VELscopeTM) visualized margins in leukoplakia and oral carcinoma.

Materials and methods

Molecular divergence from the center of the lesion to white light and VELscopeTM defined margins was compared in patients with leukoplakia (n = 3) and oral carcinoma (n = 4). Expression profiling of 45 selected genes was performed through custom‐made TaqMan arrays. Gene Ontology was used for biological pathway analysis.

Results

Irrespective of pathology, the greatest molecular divergence existed between the center of the lesion and both white light and VELscopeTM margins. VELscopeTM and white light margins were also molecularly distinct in oral carcinoma samples. Indeed, the white light margin retained molecular abnormalities observed in the center of the lesion thus suggesting the existence of a "partially transformed" cell population.

Conclusion

Despite the limited low number of patients, our data confirm the benefit of combining autofluorescence with conventional oral examination in identifying surgical margins during biopsy procedures for leukoplakia and oral carcinoma.
Reining in dissolved transition-metal ions
Authors: Asl Hooman Yaghoobnejad , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: July 2020

Approaches are needed for stabilizing transition metals in lithium-ion battery cathodes
Tight-binding model in the theory of disordered crystals
Authors: Repetsky S. , Vyshyvana I. , Kruchinin S. , Bellucci S.
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a new method of describing electronic spectrum, thermodynamic potential, and electrical conductivity of disordered crystals based on the Hamiltonian of multi-electron system and diagram method for Green’s functions finding. Electronic states of a system were described by multi-band tight-binding model. The Hamiltonian of a system is defined on the basis of the wave functions of electron in the atom nucleus field. Electrons scattering on the oscillations of the crystal lattice are taken into account. The proposed method includes long-range Coulomb interaction of electrons at different sites of the lattice. Precise expressions for Green’s functions, thermodynamic potential and conductivity tensor are derived using diagram method. Cluster expansion is obtained for density of states, free energy, and electrical conductivity of disordered systems. We show that contribution of the electron scattering processes to clusters is decreasing along with increasing number of sites in the cluster, which depends on small parameter. The computation accuracy is determined by renormalization precision of the vertex parts of the mass operators of electron-electron and electron-phonon interactions. This accuracy also can be determined by small parameter of cluster expansion for Green’s functions of electrons and phonons.
Lancet
Authors: Chang Yiyang , Jiang Chuan , Chandra Ashish , Rao Sanjay , Tawarmalani Mohit
Published: July 2020

Recently, researchers have started exploring the design of route protection schemes that ensure networks can sustain traffic demand without congestion under failures. Existing approaches focus on ensuring worst-case performance over simultaneous f -failure scenarios is acceptable. Unfortunately, even a single bad scenario may render the schemes unable to protect against any f -failure scenario. In this paper, we present Lancet, a system designed to handle most failures when not all can be tackled. Lancet comprises three components: (i) an algorithm to analyze which failure scenarios the network can intrinsically handle which provides a benchmark for any protection routing scheme, and guides the design of new schemes; (ii) an approach to efficiently design a protection schemes for more general failure sets than all f -failure scenarios; and (iii) techniques to determine which of combinatorially many scenarios to design for. Our evaluations with real topologies and validations on an emulation testbed show that Lancet outperforms a worst-case approach by protecting against many more scenarios, and can even match the scenarios handled by optimal network response.
Who Filters the Filters
Authors: Snyder Peter , Vastel Antoine , Livshits Benjamin
Published: July 2020

Ad and tracking blocking extensions are popular tools for improving web performance, privacy and aesthetics. Content blocking extensions generally rely on filter lists to decide whether a web request is associated with tracking or advertising, and so should be blocked. Millions of web users rely on filter lists to protect their privacy and improve their browsing experience.

Despite their importance, the growth and health of filter lists are poorly understood. Filter lists are maintained by a small number of contributors who use undocumented heuristics and intuitions to determine what rules should be included. Lists quickly accumulate rules, and rules are rarely removed. As a result, users' browsing experiences are degraded as the number of stale, dead or otherwise not useful rules increasingly dwarf the number of useful rules, with no attenuating benefit. An accumulation of "dead weight" rules also makes it difficult to apply filter lists on resource-limited mobile devices.
Pulmonary artery banding is a relevant model to study the right ventricular remodeling and dysfunction that occurs in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Akazawa Yohei , Okumura Kenichi , Ishii Ryo , Slorach Cameron , Hui Wei , Ide Haruki , Honjo Osami , Sun Mei , Kabir Golam , Connelly Kim , Friedberg Mark K.
Published: July 2020

Although animal models of pulmonary arterial hypertension and pressure loading are important to study right ventricular (RV) pathophysiology, pulmonary arterial hypertension models cannot interrogate RV responses independent of pulmonary vascular effects. Comparing three commonly used rat models under similar elevated RV pressure, we found that all models resulted in comparable maladaptive RV remodeling and dysfunction. Thus, these findings suggest that the pulmonary artery banding model can be used to investigate mechanisms of RV dysfunction in RV pressure overload and the effect of potential therapies.
Experimental Study on Water‐Jet Shock Microforming Process Using Different Incident Pressures
Authors: Quaisie James Kwasi , Yun Wang , Zhenying Xu , Chao Yu , Li Fuzhu , Baidoo Philip , Sekyi-Ansah Joseph , Asamoah Emmanuel
Published: July 2020

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate a new process technology using the cavitation phenomenon, mainly a water‐jet shock microforming, for the fabrication of a metallic foil. 304 stainless steel was exposed to a high‐speed submerged water jet with different incident pressures and certain working conditions. In this experiment, a KEYENCE VHX‐1000C digital microscope, confocal laser‐scanning microscope (Axio CSM 700), and micro‐Vickers hardness tester were utilized to observe the forming depth, surface quality, thickness distribution, and section hardness distributions under different incident pressures. The experimental results indicated that the surface morphology of the metal foils attained good geometrical features under this dynamic microforming method and there were no cracks or fracture. The forming depth and surface roughness increased with the incident pressure. In addition, the forming depth increased from 124.7 μm to 327.8 μm, while the surface roughness also increased from 0.685 μm to 1.159 μm at an incident pressure of 8 MPa to 20 MPa. Maximum thickness thinning of the formed foils occurred at the fillet region when the thickness thinning ratio was 21.27% under the incident pressure of 20 MPa, and there was no fracture at the bottom or the fillet region. The tested hardness indicated that during the cold‐rolled state of the sample, the hardness sample increased slightly along the cross section of the formed region and the hardness of the annealed 304 stainless steel foils increased significantly along the cross‐sectional region.
Channel Selection Strategy for a Retailer with Finance Constraint in a Supply Chain Based on Complex Network Theory
Authors: Cao Zong-Hong , Cai Zheng-Qun
Published: July 2020

This paper establishes a two-echelon supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and one retailer. We consider the retailer buys a product from the manufacturer and sells it to consumers through a store channel and an online channel. The retailer needs to bear a fixed investment cost to running its store/online channel. We discuss the impact of the fixed investment cost, the operating cost for the product, and substitutive factor between the two channels on the optimal strategy for the retailer using complex network theory. The result shows that the ratio of net surplus and the ratio of the operating cost between the two channels play a significant role in the retailer’s optimal decisions. Moreover, finance constraint and the fixed investment cost are also two vital factors for the retailer to channel selection strategy. Numerical experiment shows the effectiveness of the conclusion, and some meaningful insights are generated.
A New Conjugate Gradient Projection Method for Convex Constrained Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Liu Pengjie , Jian Jinbao , Jiang Xianzhen
Published: July 2020

The conjugate gradient projection method is one of the most effective methods for solving large-scale monotone nonlinear equations with convex constraints. In this paper, a new conjugate parameter is designed to generate the search direction, and an adaptive line search strategy is improved to yield the step size, and then, a new conjugate gradient projection method is proposed for large-scale monotone nonlinear equations with convex constraints. Under mild conditions, the proposed method is proved to be globally convergent. A large number of numerical experiments for the presented method and its comparisons are executed, which indicates that the presented method is very promising. Finally, the proposed method is applied to deal with the recovery of sparse signals.
Spiking Neural P Systems with Polarizations and Rules on Synapses
Authors: Jiang Suxia , Fan Jihui , Liu Yijun , Wang Yanfeng , Xu Fei
Published: July 2020

Spiking neural P systems are a class of computation models inspired by the biological neural systems, where spikes and spiking rules are in neurons. In this work, we propose a variant of spiking neural P systems, called spiking neural P systems with polarizations and rules on synapses (PSNRS P systems), where spiking rules are placed on synapses and neurons are associated with polarizations used to control the application of such spiking rules. The computation power of PSNRS P systems is investigated. It is proven that PSNRS P systems are Turing universal, both as number generating and accepting devices. Furthermore, a universal PSNRS P system with 151 neurons for computing any Turing computable functions is given. Compared with the case of SN P systems with polarizations but without spiking rules in neurons, less number of neurons are used to construct a universal PSNRS P system.
Numerical Study on the Denitrification Efficiency of Selective Noncatalytic Reduction Technology in Decomposing Furnace
Authors: Xu Shunsheng , He Jiazhen , Pei Fei , Li Kun , Liu Lele , Dai Zhiyong
Published: July 2020

In order to reduce the nitrogen oxide emission of cement plant, the denitrification of decomposing furnace is studied in this paper. Based on Fluent software platform, the 2500 t/d new dry-process cement kiln decomposing furnace of a plant is modeled and simulated by using air fractional combustion technology combined with selective noncatalytic reduction technology. The model and simulation methods are verified by the field test. The effects of the urea injection position and ammonia-nitrogen molar ratio on NO, NH3, and denitrification efficiency are studied by numerical simulation. The results show that the optimal injection position of the urea solution is 12 m, the optimal ammonia/nitrogen molar ratio is 1.8, and the optimal injection velocity of the urea solution is 40 m/s. The simulation results obtained under the optimal parameters are as follows: NO concentration is 187.60 mg/m3, NH3 escape is 32.40 mg/m3, and denitrification efficiency is 74.75%.
Impact of Adrenalectomy on Cortisol-Producing Adenoma: Longitudinal Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life following Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
Authors: Inoue Shogo , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Teishima Jun , Matsubara Akio
Published: July 2020

Introduction: There is increasing interest in evaluating the quality of life of patients with cortisol-producing adrenocortical adenoma (CPA). Our objective was to assess patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with CPA compared to non-CPA. Methods: Between January 2012 and September 2015, a total of 24 and 62 patients who had laparoscopic adrenalectomy with CPA and non-CPA, respectively, were included in the study. General HRQOL was evaluated on Short Form 8 (SF-8) questionnaire. The SF-8 questionnaire was administered at preoperative baseline and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months after adrenalectomy. The impact of changing 2 measures of the summary score on the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) score of SF-8 was evaluated in prospective and longitudinal studies. Results: The baseline PCS score was significantly lower in the CPA than in the non-CPA group (43.6 vs. 49.0; p = 0.0075). Thereafter, the PCS score was significantly lower in the CPA group at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. The PCS score increased in the CPA group with no significant difference between both groups at 18 months (48.1 vs. 50.2; p = 0.1202) and 24 months (48.0 vs. 50.8; p = 0.3625) postoperatively. However, the baseline MCS score was not significantly different between the CPA and non-CPA group. The MCS score in both groups gradually increased with no significant differences between the groups at any time points after surgery. The PCS score was not significantly improved at all postoperative points than the baseline score in the CPA and non-CPA group. The MCS score was significantly improved than the baseline score from 6 months postoperatively only in the CPA group. Conclusion: Our research suggests that laparoscopic adrenalectomy may contribute to improving the physical and mental function in HRQOL.
Leftist Insurgency in Democracies
Authors: Staniland Paul
Published: July 2020

Leftist insurgency has been a major form of civil war since 1945. Existing research on revolution has linked leftist rebellions to authoritarianism or blocked democratization. This research overlooks the onset of leftist insurgencies in a number of democracies. This paper theorizes the roots of this distinctive form of civil war, arguing that democracy shapes how these insurgencies begin, acting as a double-edged sword that simultaneously blocks the emergence of a revolutionary coalition and triggers intra-left splits that breed radical splinters. Leftist revolts can thus emerge during “incorporation windows” that trigger disputes within a divided left over electoral co-optation. Empirically, the paper studies all cases of leftist insurgency in southern Asia since 1945, under both autocracy and democracy, as well as a set of non-onset cases. It offers a new direction for understanding varieties of revolutionary mobilization, highlighting ideology, intra-left debate, and the multi-faceted effects of democracy on conflict.
The Management of Low Vision in Children: Report of the 1992 World Health Organization Consultation
Authors: Best A.B. , Corn A.L.
Published: July 2020

This article presents a summary of various presentations and discussions from the 1992 WHO meeting hosted by ICEVH in Thailand.
Visual Function and Visual Acuity in An Urban Adult Population
Authors: Katz J. , Tielsch J.M.
Published: July 2020

In this survey, 6,850 Baltimore residents aged 40 and older were interviewed about activities they had difficulty doing or could no longer do because of poor vision. One-fourth of the sample reported limitations in activities, most frequently reading and other near-vision tasks, because of poor vision. In addition to poor vision, general health status, educational level, and time since the last eye care visit were associated with the loss of visual function.
Impact of the ADA on the Employment and Promotion of Persons who are Visually Impaired
Authors: Rumrill P.D. , Scheff C.M.
Published: July 2020

Unemployment and underemployment have plagued people who are visually impaired (including those who are blind and those who have low vision) since long before the Randolph-Sheppard Act of 1936. Five years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was implemented in 1992, persons who are visually impaired still have poor access to and are discriminated against in the labor market. This article examines the barriers to competitive employment for persons with visual impairments and presents an ADA-compatible strategy to help remove these barriers.
The reciprocal temporal associations between subjective age and social relations in adult day care centers over a one-year period
Authors: Ayalon Liat , Cohn-Schwartz Ella
Published: July 2020

Objectives:

The present study evaluated the reciprocal temporal associations between one’s subjective age (or felt age) and one’s social relations in the adult day care center (ADCC) over two waves of data collection, spread about 1 year apart.

Method:

Participants from four ADCCs in Israel were approached in 2017 and repeatedly, in 2018 ( N = 224 in Wave 1 and N = 259 in Wave 2). The ADCC social network included both outgoing ties of familiar relationships with other ADCC members as reported by the respondent (out-degree centrality) and ingoing ties, based on reports of other ADCC members who were familiar with the respondent (in-degree centrality).

Results:

Out-degree and in-degree centrality at baseline were not associated with change in subjective age. Subjective age at the first time point was not associated with change in out-degree centrality, but it was negatively associated with change in in-degree centrality. Even after controlling for sociodemographic and health variables, adults who felt younger were subsequently cited by more ADCC members.

Conclusions:

The findings stress the importance of subjective age to one’s relationship in the ADCC. It is suggested that a younger subjective age is a desired quality in the ADCC.
A case of impetigo herpetiformis in which termination of pregnancy was required
Authors: Yao Xinjing , Zhang Xiaoxia , Peng Min , Wang He , Meng Yizi , Chen Ying
Published: July 2020

Impetigo herpetiformis is a rare variant of generalized pustular psoriasis that occurs during pregnancy or is triggered by pregnancy, often in association with hypocalcemia. This condition is associated with increased maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We report a 29-year-old pregnant woman who presented to hospital at the gestational age of 20 weeks with widespread erythema covered with pustules that coalesced to form lakes of pus. She did not respond to corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or phototherapy. Finally, intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine lactate was administered to terminate the pregnancy, and the patient showed complete recovery in 3 months. Insight from this case report may facilitate optimal management of this relatively rare entity.
Composite counterstorytelling as a technique for challenging ambivalence about race and racism in the labour market in Ireland
Authors: Joseph Ebun
Published: July 2020

In this study, the statement ‘race is no longer an issue’ is used to examine how 32 migrants of Spanish, Polish and Nigerian descent understand the significance of race in labour market mobility in Ireland. Their responses showed that Black and White workers talk about race differently. It also revealed an ambivalence about race among the White workers. This article employs counterstorytelling technique to analyse and present these differences through stories which humanise the lived experiences of migrants navigating the Irish labour market. The article commences with a discussion of how whiteness provides unacknowledged privilege. This is followed by a discussion of critical race theory’s counterstorytelling as an analytical tool for examining social relations. The participants’ narratives and current realities are then synthesised and woven into dialogues to construct composite portraits that invite readers into the world of migrant workers. The two stories constructed in this article portray how stories can open conversation about race and racism. Story A contains stereotypes that are used to explain the lack of racial diversity in the workplace, while story B challenges the complacency about how race and racism impact on the disparity in outcome among different groups. Finally, the article highlights the importance of counterstories in labour market research.
Characterization of antibacterial nanocomposites of polyethylene terephthalate filled with nanosilver-doped carbon black
Authors: De Guzman Manuel Reyes , Wen Yi-Hua , Du Juan , Yuan Ling , Wu Chin-San , Hung Wei-Song , Guo Ji-Peng , Yao You-Li , Yuan Shuai , Wang Ruo-Yao , Suen Maw-Cherng , Tsou Chi-Hui
Published: July 2020

A new filler for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was synthesized by doping carbon black (CB) with nanosilver. Images taken from energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction validated the synthesis of the filler (nanosilver-doped CB (CB-Ag)). We evaluated the effect of CB-Ag on the mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties of the nanocomposites (CB-Ag/PET). Thermogravimetric analyses, morphology, and tensile tests indicated that thermodegradation, crystallization rate, and tensile strength were all improved as a result of filling PET with CB-Ag. Excellent antibacterial properties were imparted to PET nanocomposites, which would be useful for a wide array of industrial applications.
Understanding of Young People About COVID-19 During Early Outbreak in Indonesia
Authors: Adella Halim Devina , Kurniawan Andree , Agung Fransisca Handy , Angelina Stella , Jodhinata Claudia , Winata Sharleen , Frenstan  , Wijovi Felix , Agatha Cindy Monika
Published: July 2020

To control the spread of COVID-19 transmission, Indonesia government has broadcasted information about the pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the understanding of young people, about COVID-19 during the early outbreak in Indonesia. An online-based cross-sectional data collection was conducted from adolescents aged 10 to 25 years, based on 10 questions regarding general COVID-19 information. There were 355 subjects from 25 out of 34 Indonesian provinces who participated in the study, with mean age of 19.93 ± 2.91 years. Better understanding was found in the female and higher-income population. Largely, the subjects got the information from social media, instead of the official government site for COVID-19. Lack of understanding about crucial preventive measures was found, such as handwashing and physical distancing. In conclusion, the participants have an overall moderate-good initial understanding toward COVID-19 during the early outbreak in Indonesia. These results can be used as baseline data for development of awareness measurement tools.
DE-based capacitive micro-speakers for generating directional audible sound
Authors: Soosani Mohammad , Fathalilou Mohammad , Rezazadeh Ghader , Homaei Mohammad
Published: July 2020

Although silicon is the most used material in micro-electro-mechanical-systems, due to the excellent mechanical properties, it has poor performance for generating audible sound by capacitive micro-speakers. This paper studies the capability of dielectric elastomer material instead for generating the directional sound in the human hearing regime. Dielectric elastomers are a branch of smart materials with high desired and practical specifications such as large deformation, energy-efficient, lightweight, biocompatible, and fast response which share the common characteristics of changing their shape under an applied electrical voltage or charge. An elastic circular dielectric elastomer micro-plate with compliant electrodes on both sides suspended over the unmoving plate as a capacitive micro-structure has been modeled as a diaphragm of the micro-speaker. Then the Bessel panel array has been considered in a square matrix form composed of the number of dielectric elastomer micro-speakers. The nonlinear equation of the vibrations of a micro-speaker’s diaphragm under an electrostatic loading and equations of the sound pressure and sound radiation pattern have been presented and solved. The results have shown that utilizing dielectric elastomer-based micro-speakers in a Bessel panel array can generate a directional audible sound pressure in the human hearing range. In addition, the results clear that the desired sound waves in the human audible range and a private or personal listening zone can be produced through adopting an optimal value among the excitation frequencies, diaphragm numbers, radii and inter-element spaces of a Bessel panel array.
Methodology for the large-eddy simulation and particle image velocimetry analysis of large-scale flow structures on TCC-III engine under motored condition
Authors: Ko Insuk , Rulli Federico , Fontanesi Stefano , d’Adamo Alessandro , Min Kyoungdoug
Published: July 2020

Large-eddy simulation has been increasingly applied to internal combustion engine flows because of their improved potential to capture the spatial and temporal evolution of turbulent flow structures compared with Reynolds-averaged Navier Stokes simulation. Furthermore, large-eddy simulation is universally recognized as capable of simulating highly unsteady and random phenomena, which drive cycle-to-cycle variability and cycle-resolved events such as knocks and misfires. To identify large-scale structure fluctuations, many methods have been proposed in the literature. This article describes the application of several analysis methods for the comparison between different datasets (experimental or numerical) and the identification of large-structure fluctuations. The reference engine is the well-known TCC-III single-cylinder optical unit from the University of Michigan and GM Global R&D center; the analyses were carried out under motored engine conditions. A deep analysis of in-cylinder gas dynamics and flow structure evolution was performed by comparing the experimental results (particle image velocimetry of the velocity fields) with a dataset of consecutive large-eddy simulation cycles on four different cutting planes at engine-relevant crank angle positions. Phase-dependent proper orthogonal decomposition was used to obtain further conclusions regarding the accuracy of the simulation results and to apply conditional averaging methods. A two-point correlation and an analysis of the tumble center are proposed. Finally, conclusions are drawn to be used as guidelines in future large-eddy simulation analyses of internal combustion engines.
Effect of immunonutritional status, healthcare factors, and lifestyle on acute respiratory infections among under-5 children in Bangladesh
Authors: Kamal Md. Mustafa , Aziz Farina , Islam Md. Rabiul , Ahsan Monira , Islam Sheikh Nazrul
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

Acute respiratory infection is a major cause of death for under-5 children in Bangladesh. We aimed to analyze the effect of immunonutritional status, healthcare factors, and lifestyle on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children taking individual-level and contextual-level risk factors into consideration.

Methods:

This study recruited 200 children suffering from acute respiratory infection and 100 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and sociodemographic profile. Serum antioxidant vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and vitamin E (α-tocopherol) were assessed along with the impact of vaccination, socioeconomic factors, and Z-score on the incidence of acute respiratory infection.

Results:

Serum antioxidant vitamins were significantly lower in the acute respiratory infection children compared to the non–acute respiratory infection group. Vitamin A was found to be significantly high in acute respiratory infection children who were breastfed for more than 1 year. Vitamin E levels were found to be significantly higher in the acute respiratory infection children who were immunized. Compared to the children living in tin-shed house or huts, serum vitamin E level increased in those acute respiratory infection children who resided in apartments. Vitamin A level was significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose height-for-age was −2 SD and above ( Z-score), and vitamin C levels were also significantly high in those acute respiratory infection children whose weight-for-height was −2 SD and below ( Z-score).

Conclusion:

Deficiencies of antioxidant vitamins along with healthcare and lifestyle factors have a significant influence on the incidence of acute respiratory infection among under-5 children in Bangladesh.
Preparing Youth for the World of Work: Educator Perspectives on Pre-Employment Transition Services
Authors: Carter Erik W. , Awsumb Jessica M. , Schutz Michele A. , McMillan Elise D.
Published: July 2020

Effective collaboration among schools and agencies is critical to the success of pre-employment transition services (pre-ETS). We examined the views of 596 middle and high school educators regarding pre-ETS and the employment prospects of their students with disabilities. Educators overwhelmingly affirmed that youth with disabilities needed better preparation for employment, but they were more mixed in their familiarity with pre-ETS and its associated practices. Prevailing partnerships among schools and vocational rehabilitation agencies were described as uneven and fairly limited. Educators sometimes differed in their views based on school level (i.e., middle versus high school) and community type (i.e., rural versus non-rural). We offer suggestions for research and practice aimed at enhancing the employment preparation and outcomes of youth with disabilities.
Monoclonal Gammopathy of Renal Significance—A Rare Renal Presentation: A Review of Cases Reported
Authors: Kichloo Asim , Nawaz Najma , Singh Jagmeet , Aljadah Michael , Albosta Michael Stanley , Bhanot Ravinder
Published: July 2020

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance is a precursor to multiple myeloma characterized by monoclonal gammopathy without evidence of end organ damage. Some patients with clonal plasma cell disorder that do not meet the requirements for multiple myeloma have been seen to develop pathologic renal disease due to direct effects from deposition of monoclonal protein, referred to as monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance. In this article, we present a rare renal manifestation of monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.