bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Method of value chain mapping with international input–output data: application to the agricultural value chain in three Greater Mekong Subregion countries
Authors: Kuroiwa Ikuo
Published: June 2021

Extending the technique of unit structure analysis, which was originally developed by Ozaki (J Econ 73(5):720–748, 1980), this study introduces a method of value chain mapping that uses international input–output data and reveals both the upstream and downstream transactions of goods and services, as well as primary input (value added) and final output (final demand) transactions, which emerge along the entire value chain. This method is then applied to the agricultural value chain of three Greater Mekong Subregion countries: Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The results show that the agricultural value chain has been increasingly internationalized, although there is still room to benefit from participating in global value chains, especially in a country such as Cambodia. Although there are some constraints regarding the methodology and data, the method proves useful in tracing the entire value chain.
Emotional intelligence: predictor of employees’ wellbeing, quality of patient care, and psychological empowerment
Authors: Karimi Leila , Leggat Sandra G. , Bartram Timothy , Afshari Leila , Sarkeshik Sarah , Verulava Tengiz
Published: June 2021

Background

The study explored the role of emotional intelligence (EI) on employees’ perceived wellbeing and empowerment, as well as their performance, by measuring their quality of care.

Methods

The baseline data for the present project was collected from 78 staff of a Victorian aged care organization in Australia. Self-administered surveys were used to assess participants’ emotional intelligence, general well-being, psychological empowerment, quality of care, and demographic characteristics. The model fit was assessed using structural equation modelling by AMOS (v 24) software.

Results

The evaluated model confirmed that emotional intelligence predicts the employees’ psychological empowerment, wellbeing, and quality of care in a statistically significant way.

Conclusions

The current research indicates that employees with higher EI will more likely deliver a better quality of patient care. Present research extends the current knowledge of the psychological empowerment and wellbeing of employees with a particular focus on emotional intelligence as an antecedent in an under-investigated setting like aged care setting in Australia.
Safety and Efficacy of Modified FOLFIRINOX in Unresectable or Metastatic Gallbladder Cancer: A Phase II Pilot Study
Authors: Sharma Atul , Pramanik Raja , Kumar Akash , Pathy Sushmita , Kumar Sunil , Bhoriwal Sandeep , Thulkar Sanjay , Dash Nihar Ranjan , Pal Sujoy , Choudhary Priyanshu , Pawar Satyajit , Kumar Rakesh , Gupta Gaurav
Published: June 2021

PURPOSE

For unresectable gallbladder cancer (GBC), gemcitabine and platinum is standard combination; however, outcome is poor. We conducted this study to find feasibility of modified flourouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan in this group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, phase II single-arm pilot study. Inclusion criteria were histologically proven GBC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-1. Primary end points were overall response rates and overall survival. The following treatment was given: oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, leucovorin 400 mg/m2, and irinotecan 150 mg/m2, all once on day 1, fluorouracil 2,400 mg/m2 continuous intra-venous infusion over 46 hours repeated every 2 weeks, and maximum 12 doses, with primary granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis.

RESULTS

Between February 2019 and July 2020, 29 patients with unresectable GBC were enrolled. The median age was 52 years, and 18 were females. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group was 0 in 4. Five had bilirubin > normal, and 15 each had high serum alkaline phosphatase and carbohydrate antigen 19-9. Twenty-five patients had stage IV disease, and remaining unresectable locally advanced disease. A median of 8.5 cycles was given, and 11 completed treatment. Nine stopped chemotherapy because of progression, and one because of toxicity, and treatment is ongoing in three. Twenty-two required dose reduction. A treatment delay of 1-2 weeks was seen in 25 patients. Best response was complete response 1, partial response 13 (overall response rate 48.2%), and stable disease 9. Four patients with metastatic disease underwent R0 resection. As on cutoff date, nine are surviving (three without disease). Eighteen died of PD, and in two, cause was unknown. There was no toxic death. The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 309 and 252 days, respectively. Twenty-three patients experienced grade III or IV toxicity, and common were diarrhea (13), vomiting (12), and anemia (7).

CONCLUSION

First-line modified flourouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan is feasible in unresectable GBC with encouraging responses. Toxicities are higher but manageable. Higher response rates make this an option to explore in borderline resectable cases.
Μηχανισμοί απορρύθμισης των μορίων p16/cyclinD1/p53/MDM2 στο κολποτραχηλικό επιθήλιο κατά την HPV προσβολή του
Authors: Μεταξάς Γεώργιος
Published: June 2021

Η πλειονότητα των προσβολών του κολποτραχηλικού επιθηλίου από τον ιο του ανθρώπινου θηλώματος (Human Papilloma Virus-HPV) χαρακτηρίζονται ασυμπτωματικές με τάση υποστροφής, ενώ η δημιουργία εμφανών κυτταρομορφολογικών αλλοιώσεων (κοιλοκύτταρα) στο τεστ ΠΑΠ εκτείνεται σε ένα διάστημα από 3 εβδομάδες εώς 9 μήνες μετά την ενσφήνωση του ιού στο κολποτραχηλικό επιθήλιο. Η ενσωμάτωση –σε αντίθεση με την απλή επισωματική προσβολή- των υψηλής επικινδυνότητας υπότυπων του ιού HPV στο DNA των κυττάρων του ξενιστή τροποποιεί τα επιθηλιακά κύτταρα με την απενεργοποίηση των ογκοκατασταλτικών πρωτεϊνών p53 και Rb (5,9,22). Κατά την HPV προσβολή του τραχηλικού συστήματος, η υπερέκφραση της πρωτείνης p16 πραγματοποιείται μέσω της ενεργοποίησης του Ε7 γονιδίου που οδηγεί σε αποσυγχρονισμό του Rb και του Ε2F μεταγραφικού παράγοντα. (11) Ο αποσυγχρονισμός του κυτταρικού κύκλου κατά την εμμένουσα High Risk HPV προσβολή του κολποτραχηλικού επιθηλίου εμπλέκει εκτός των προαναφερθέντων και τα μόρια cyclinD1 και MDM2, καθώς παρατηρείται διαταραχή στην έκφραση τους στα εν λόγω επιθήλια και αποτελεί νέο πεδίο έρευνας ειδικά για τα δίπολα p16/cyclinD1 και p53/MDM2. (23,26,56,58,59,82,85,103) Το εν λόγω ερευνητικό πρωτόκολλο σχεδιάστηκε με γνώμονα τη διερεύνηση του ρόλου της απορρύθμισης των πρωτεινών p16/cyclinD1/p53/MDM2 στο κολποτραχηλικό επιθήλιο κατά την προσβολή του από τον ιο των ανθρωπίνων θηλωμάτων (HPV) με βάση τα επίπεδα της έκφρασής τους σε παθολογικά κολποτραχηλικά επιχρίσματα. Όλοι οι εξεταζόμενοι πρωτεινικοί δείκτες εμφάνισαν διαφορετική έκφραση επί των εξεταζόμενων ανοσοχρωσμένων πλακιδίων (υπερέκφραση ως υψηλή και μέτρια ένταση χρώσης καθώς και χαμηλή). Υπερέκφραση της p53 παρατηρήθηκε σε 13/80 (16.25%), της MDM2 σε 27/80 (33.75%) της cyclin D1 σε 8/80 (10%) και της p16INK4 σε 9/80 (11.25%).
Retrospective evaluation of two-year results with a filtering trabeculotomy in comparison to conventional trabeculectomy by exact matching
Authors: Strzalkowska Alicja , Strzalkowski Peter , Al Yousef Yousef , Hillenkamp Jost , Grehn Franz , Loewen Nils A.
Published: June 2021

Background: To compare two-year results of a filtering trabeculotomy (FTO) to conventional trabeculectomy (TE) in open-angle glaucoma by exact matching.

Methods: 110 patients received an FTO and 86 a TE. FTO avoided the need for an iridectomy due to a preserved trabeculo-descemet window anterior to the scleral flap. TE employed a trabecular block excision and iridectomy. Mitomycin C was used in both. FTO and TE were exact matched by baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of glaucoma medications. Complete and qualified success (IOP ≤18 mmHg and IOP reduction ≥ 30%, with or without medication) were primary endpoints. IOP, visual acuity (BCVA), complications and intervention were secondary endpoints.

Results: 44 FTO were exact matched to 44 TE. The IOP baseline in both groups was 22.5±4.7 mmHg on 3±0.9 medications. At 24 months, complete success was reached by 59% in FTO and 66% in TE, and qualified success by 59% in FTO and 71% in TE. In FTO, IOP was reduced to 12.4±4.3 mmHg at 12 months and 13.1±4.1 mmHg at 24 months. In TE, IOP was 11.3±2.2 mmHg at 12 months and 12.0±3.5 mmHg at 24 months. Medications could be reduced at 24 months to 0.6±1.3 in FTO and 0.2±0.5 in TE. There were no significant differences between the two groups in IOP, medications, complications or interventions at any point.

Conclusion: Modifying aqueous flow through a limited trabeculotomy in FTO yielded clinical outcomes similar to traditional TE but allowed to avoid an iridectomy.
Evolution of human respiratory virus epidemics
Authors: Rochman Nash , Wolf Yuri , V. Koonin Eugene
Published: June 2021

Background: It is often assumed that pathogens evolve towards reduced virulence, but counterexamples abound. Faced with a new pathogen, such as SARS-CoV-2, it is highly desirable to be able to forecast the case fatality rate (CFR) and overall disease burden into the future. Considerable effort has been invested towards the development of a mathematical framework for predicting virulence evolution. Although many approaches accurately recapitulate complex outcomes, most rely on an assumed trade-off between CFR and infection rate. It is often impractical to empirically validate this constraint for human pathogens.

Methods: A compartment model with parameters tuning the degree to which symptomatic individuals are isolated and the duration of immunity is constructed and evaluated at both short timescales and at equilibrium (when it exists).

Results: We reveal kinetic constraints where the variation of multiple parameters in concert leads to decreased CFR and increased pathogen fitness, whereas independent variation of the parameters decreases pathogen fitness. Smallpox, SARS-CoV-2, and influenza are analyzed as diverse representatives of human respiratory viruses. We show that highly virulent viruses, such as smallpox, are likely often constrained by host behavior, whereas moderately virulent viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, appear to be typically constrained by the relationship between the duration of immunity and CFR.

Conclusions: Evolution of human respiratory epidemics appears to be often kinetically constrained and a reduction in CFR should not be assumed. Our findings imply that, without continued public health intervention, SARS-CoV-2 is likely to continue presenting a substantial disease burden. The existence of a parameter regime admitting endemic equilibrium suggests that herd immunity is unachievable. However, we demonstrate that even partial isolation of symptomatic individuals can have a major effect not only by reducing the number of fatalities in the short term but also by potentially changing the evolutionary trajectory of the virus towards reduced CFR.
Experiences of violence among female and male grade eight learners: baseline findings from the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) trial across three South African townships
Authors: Kutywayo Alison , Frade Sasha , Mahuma Tshepo , Naidoo Nicolette P. , Mullick Saiqa
Published: June 2021

Background: South African adolescents experience disproportionally high rates of violence, with lifelong health, social and economic impacts. Few papers present risk factors associated with experiences of adolescent violence.

Methods: A baseline cross-sectional survey was done (April 2017 – Sept 2018) with 3432 grade 8 learners in the Girls Achieve Power (GAP Year) trial from 26 high schools in three townships (Soweto and Tembisa, Gauteng and Khayelitsha, Western Cape). Collected data on lifetime experiences of different types of violence, perpetrators, and place of violence. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to enumerate experiences of, and factors associated with violence.

Results: A total of 2383 respondents are included. Most (63.1%) were girls, 81.5% aged 12-14. In total 26% had ever experienced violence, higher among boys (p=<0.001). Physical violence was most common (35.7%), then psychological (21.8%), sexual (13.1%), neglect (10.6%), cyberbullying (7.6%), corporal punishment (6.5%) and economic abuse (4.8%). Boys experienced more physical violence (36.0%); girls experienced more psychological violence (22.2%). Gauteng had double the reports of sexual violence (18.4% vs 7.6%, p<0.001). Violence happened most at school (27.4%), followed by the park (19.8%) or their friends’ home (12.9%).

Multivariate analysis showed that boys (aOR 1.57; 95% CV 1.27-1.94; p=0.000), those aged 15-17 years (aOR 1.41; 95% CV 1.07-1.84; p=0.013), those who ever used substances (aOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.54-2.37; p=0.000), and those who sometimes feel worthless (aOR 1.35; 95% CI 1.10-1.64, p=0.003) were at higher odds of ever experiencing violence. Those who had never had sex were less likely to have ever experienced violence (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.83; p=0.001).

Conclusion: Urgently need wider adoption, scaling, and sustaining of evidence-based primary violence prevention and structural interventions are required to reduce the high burden of adolescent violence. Stakeholders across the ecological model are needed to tackle harmful cultural norms that perpetuate violence.
Editorial: Anticipation and change
Authors: Linask Lauri , Sahakyan Inesa , Semenenko Aleksei
Published: June 2021

Editorial: Anticipation and change
Anticipating the societal transformation required to solve the environmental crisis in the 21st century
Authors: Tønnessen Morten
Published: June 2021

This article introduces an ecosemiotic approach to the two great challenges facing humanity in the 21st century: solving an escalating environmental crisis, while also safeguarding and further improving human living conditions. An ecosemiotic framework for the study of societal transformations is presented and political and other normative aspects of what I call transformative semiotics are discussed. This envelops socio-cultural and socio-ecological developments framed in terms of umwelt theory and Deep Ecology. In the long run, developments in human ecology as reflected in our changing relations to non-humans are expressed in the umwelt trajectory of humankind. The question of how the environmental crisis can best be solved is therefore tantamount to the question about what direction the human umwelt trajectory should take in this century. I outline different plausible umwelt scenarios for human ecology in the 21st century, focused on business-as-usual, ecomodernist and Deep Ecology scenarios. In a concluding discussion on technology and sustainability, the scenario development eventually includes a distinction between flexible and inflexible development paths.
Gender Differences in the Presentation and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients With COVID‐19
Authors: Biolè Carloalberto , Bianco Matteo , Núñez‐Gil Iván J , Cerrato Enrico , Spirito Amanda , Roubin Sergio Raposeiras , Viana‐Llamas María C , Gonzalez Adelina , Castro‐Mejía Alex F , Eid Charbel Maroun , Fernández‐Pérez Cristina , Uribarri Aitor , Alfonso‐Rodriguez Emilio , Ugo Fabrizio , Guerra Federico , Feltes Gisela , Akin Ibrahim , Fernández‐Rozas Inmaculada , Blasco‐Angulo Natividad , Huang Jia , Aguado Marcos Garcia , Pepe Martino , Romero Rodolfo , Becerra‐Muñoz Víctor Manuel , Estrada Vicente , Macaya Carlos
Published: June 2021

Gender‐related differences in COVID‐19 clinical presentation, disease progression, and mortality have not been adequately explored. We analyzed the clinical profile, presentation, treatments, and outcomes of patients according to gender in the HOPE‐COVID‐19 International Registry. Among 2,798 enrolled patients, 1,111 were women (39.7%). Male patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and more comorbidities at baseline. After propensity score matching, 876 men and 876 women were selected. Male patients more often reported fever, whereas female patients more often reported vomiting, diarrhea, and hyposmia/anosmia. Laboratory tests in men presented alterations consistent with a more severe COVID‐19 infection (eg, significantly higher C‐reactive protein, troponin, transaminases, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and ferritin). Systemic inflammatory response syndrome, bilateral pneumonia, respiratory insufficiency, and renal failure were significantly more frequent in men. Men more often required pronation, corticosteroids, and tocilizumab administration. A significantly higher 30‐day mortality was observed in men vs women (23.4% vs 19.2%; P = .039). Trial Numbers: NCT04334291/EUPAS34399.
OM Forum—People-Centric Operations: Achievements and Future Research Directions
Authors: Roels Guillaume , Staats Bradley R.
Published: June 2021

As the nature of work has become more service oriented, knowledge intensive, and rapidly changing, people—be they workers or customers—have become more central to operational processes and have impacted operational outcomes in novel and perhaps more fundamental ways. Research in people-centric operations (PCO) studies how people affect the performance of operational processes. In this OM Forum, we define PCO as an area of study, offer a categorization scheme to take stock of where the field has allocated its attention to date, and offer our thoughts on promising directions for future research. The future of PCO is bright: Thanks to today’s availability of granular data, PCO researchers have numerous and growing opportunities to study, from both descriptive and prescriptive angles, the link between people’s behavior and operational performance.
Lymphoedema care in the mobile unit: a service evaluation of patient experience and attendance rates
Authors: Gabe-Walters Marie , Thomas Melanie , Noble-Jones Rhian
Published: June 2021

Background/aims

Lymphoedema can be a life-long burden to patients. Value-based lymphoedema services should aim to empower patients and meet expectations of care. This study evaluated the attendance rates and experiences of patients accessing a mobile health unit for lymphoedema care.

Methods

A questionnaire was shared with all adult patients with lymphoedema at 16 mobile unit clinics in south Wales over 3 months in 2019. Attendance rates and questionnaire data were explored descriptively.

Results

Out of 417 patients, 175 (37%) participated in the study. Of these, a considerable majority (132/148, 89%) expressed a preference for the mobile unit compared to hospital-based services. Reasons for this preference included ease of access, excellent staff and parking facilities. Non-attendance rates of 8% were observed at the mobile unit.

Conclusions

Patients favoured attending the mobile unit, suggesting that mobile care is a key aspect of value-based healthcare, allowing services to be planned around patient needs. However, this did not fully resolve the issue of non-attendance. The impact of such community-based services on health outcomes, costs and staff experiences should be explored before widespread adoption is implemented.
Voices from the frontline: the psychological impact and coping mechanisms used by healthcare staff during COVID-19
Authors: Majumder Pallab , Jeve Yadava , Sales Christian P
Published: June 2021

Background/Aims

Healthcare workers have been affected by the physical and psychological consequences of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the effects of the pandemic on the psychological wellbeing of UK healthcare workers, as well as the coping mechanisms used and the workplace support that they found helpful.

Methods

A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to healthcare workers across various settings, including primary care, community services, hospital settings and specialist or tertiary service settings. A convenience sample was used to select the participants. The responses were collected for 1 month at the height of the first wave of COVID-19 in the UK (10 April 2020–10 May 2020). Results were collated and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software.

Results

Responses to the questionnaire showed the negative emotional, behavioural and cognitive impact of the pandemic on staff, with many experiencing issues such as anxiety, anger, disrupted sleep and worries about contracting the virus. A concerning number also reported symptoms of severe psychological distress, including depersonalisation, derealisation, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Practical coping mechanisms were generally preferred. Older, male staff were significantly less likely to reach out for support than their younger and female counterparts. Respondents also expressed a preference for practical support from their employer, such as more managerial support at work, time off and financial incentives.

Conclusions

The psychological wellbeing of healthcare staff in the UK urgently needs addressing. The results suggest that practical workplace support strategies, such as increased time off and better communication between staff and management, would be most helpful. Future research should focus on implementing these strategies and targeting at-risk demographic groups.
Using music effectively as part of your lessons
Authors: Aubrey-Smith Fiona
Published: June 2021

Music is a powerful tool that teachers can embrace in the classroom to help encourage, calm, motivate, inspire and more. Fiona Aubrey-Smith offers some pointers
Coaching: A solution to leadership burn-out?
Authors: Grant Viv , Lofthouse Rachel
Published: June 2021

New research shows that coaching may be an effective solution to potential burn-out among school professionals, including leaders. Viv Grant and Professor Rachel Lofthouse outline their findings
RESEARCH ROUNDUP
Authors: Mcgloin Claudia
Published: June 2021

In this regular feature, aesthetic nurse Claudia McGloin presents a brief synopsis of a range of recently published articles on medical aesthetics. Research roundup aims to provide an overview, rather than a detailed summary and critique, of the papers selected. Should you wish to look at any of the papers in more detail, a full reference is provided at the end of each study summary
Medical or cosmetic? The challenges of differentiating between the two
Authors: Rankin Andrew
Published: June 2021

In this issue's Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners update, Andrew Rankin details a new project of the Clinical Advisory Group and the challenges of defining a treatment as medical or cosmetic
The five strategic core pillars that every aesthetic business needs to succeed
Authors: Singh Harry
Published: June 2021

In this article, Harry Singh explores the five pillars that he deems necessary to running a successful medical aesthetics business: marketing, sales and the patient consultation, operation, finances and talent
School counselling key in mental health battle
Authors: Henshaw Pete
Published: June 2021

The children's commissioner wants to see more funding and incentives for in-school counselling and other low-level mental health support
Analisis Dampak Covid-19 Terhadap Indeks Harga Konsumen dengan K-Means dan Regresi Berganda
Authors: Azizah Firli , Athoillah Muhammad
Published: June 2021

The Indonesian economy during the global pandemic entered the brink of economic recession. This problem occurs because the state of public consumption has decreased due to the limited space for community movement and sluggish economic activities due to preventing the transmission of Covid-19. This affects the decline in public consumption in economic activities. In this case, it can be seen from the statistical news published by the official website of the Badan Pusat Statistik (BPS) which reports that the inflation rate in the previous months was around 0.10%, while in April 2020 it decreased by 0.08%. Based on these, a K-means grouping study was conducted by dividing the cluster into 3 parts and modeling using multiple regression methods. In this study, the variable used was the price index. The results of the K-means cluster analysis with the division of 3 clusters, namely cluster 3 (high CPI cluster) consisting of 66 cities, cluster 1 (moderate CPI cluster) consisting of 2 cities, and cluster 2 (low CPI cluster) consisting of 22 cities. Furthermore, the multiple regression results obtained 12 variables that have a significant effect on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The results of regression modeling are the highest coefficient is food at 0.236 and the lowest coefficients are cigarettes and tobacco at 0.008. Therefore can be concluded that the grouping of the CPI indicator obtained 75% of cities with high index prices, especially in big cities such that economic activity, in general, was still consumptive during the pandemic and multiple regression modeling resulted from 37 indicator variables, only 12 indicator variables had a significant effect on the CPI.
Keywords: k-means, CPI, multiple regression, and price index
A comparative study evaluating the hybrid composite-metal aviation structure
Authors: BARAN Daniela , MARIN Romeo , PETRE Mihaela , BOGATEANU Radu
Published: June 2021

The main purpose of this paper is to develop some numerical experiences based on mechanical tests performed on a hybrid composite metal aeronautical structure using finite element commercial codes (here NASTRAN). The results of the numerical simulations are consistent with the laboratory tests and encourage us to continue to improve the models using NASTRAN capabilities to obtain a realistic simulation of aeronautical structures made of such composites, taking into account their special properties.
Experimental research of incipient turbulent flow frequency spectra in hydrodynamic unsteadiness
Authors: KRAEV Viacheslav
Published: June 2021

Hydraulic and heat transfer processes play a very important role in the design and prototyping of aerospace technology. Unsteady conditions are the peculiarity of mostly aerospace systems. Flow acceleration and deceleration may significantly affect the heat transfer and hydrodynamic process in channels of aerospace systems. For unsteady process modeling, a fundamental research of unsteady hydrodynamic turbulent flow structure., Moscow Aviation Institute National Research University (MAI) has been building unsteady turbulent flow structures since 1989. An experimental facility was designed to provide gas flow acceleration and deceleration. Experimental data of a turbulent gas flow structure during flow acceleration and flow deceleration are presented. The frequency spectra of axial and radial velocity pulsations are based on experimental data. The results of experimental turbulent flow research demonstrate the fundamental hydrodynamic unsteadiness influence on the flow structure. The main results of the flow acceleration and deceleration experimental research show that there are tangible differences from the steady flow structure. The analysis of unsteady conditions influence on the turbulent pulsations generation and development mechanisms is presented. The results show the unsteady conditions influence onto turbulent vortexes disintegration tempo. The present paper describes a method of experimental research, methodology of data processing and turbulent accelerated and decelerated flow spectra results.
First order perturbation approach for the free surface flow over a step with large Weber number
Authors: BOUNIF May Manal , GASMI Abdelkader
Published: June 2021

The problem of two-dimensional free surface flow of inviscid and incompressible fluid over a step is considered. The flow is assumed to be as steady and irrotational, the effect of the surface tension is considered, but the gravity force is neglected. This problem is characterized by the nonlinear condition given by Bernoulli's equation on the unknown free surface, which can be considered as part of the solution. The main purpose of this work is to give an approximate solution of this problem, by using the Hilbert transformation and the perturbation technique; the results are calculated for a large values of the Weber number and small inclination angle of the step values. These results demonstrate that the used method is easily implemented, and provides approximate solutions to these kinds of problems.
Autocrine Hyaluronan Influences Sprouting and Lumen Formation During HUVEC Tubulogenesis In Vitro
Authors: Vernon Robert B. , Gooden Michel D. , Chan Christina K. , Workman Gail , Obika Masanari , Wight Thomas N.
Published: June 2021

Although many studies have focused on a role for hyaluronan (HA) of interstitial extracellular matrix (presumably produced by non-vascular “stromal” cells) in regulating vascular growth, we herein examine the influence of “autocrine HA” produced by vascular endothelial cells themselves on tubulogenesis, using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in angiogenic and vasculogenic three-dimensional collagen gel cultures. Relative to unstimulated controls, tubulogenic HUVECs upregulated HAS2 mRNA and increased the synthesis of cell-associated HA (but not HA secreted into media). Confocal microscopy/immunofluorescence on cultures fixed with neutral-buffered 10% formalin (NBF) revealed cytoplasmic HAS2 in HUVEC cords and tubes. Cultures fixed with NBF (with cetylpyridinium chloride added to retain HA), stained for HA using “affinity fluorescence” (biotinylated HA-binding protein with streptavidin-fluor), and viewed by confocal microscopy showed HA throughout tube lumens, but little/no HA on the abluminal sides of the tubes or in the surrounding collagen gel. Lumen formation in angiogenic and vasculogenic cultures was strongly suppressed by metabolic inhibitors of HA synthesis (mannose and 4-methylumbelliferone). Hyaluronidase strongly inhibited lumen formation in angiogenic cultures, but not in vasculogenic cultures (where developing lumens are not open to culture medium). Collectively, our results point to a role for autocrine, luminal HA in microvascular sprouting and lumen development. (J Histochem Cytochem 69: 415–428, 2021)
Gender differences in job satisfaction among disabled workers
Authors: Yu Seunghee , Choe Chung
Published: June 2021

This paper explores the association between job satisfaction and gender for workers with disabilities, using data from the Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled, which interviews officially registered persons with disabilities in Korea. To take full advantage of the longitudinal data, we apply random-effects ordered probit models to investigate the underlying factors that affect gender differentials in job satisfaction. Our findings reveal that merely different work values between women and men do not account for the significantly higher job satisfaction among women. We suggest that workers’ expectations play a role in explaining why female workers are happier in the workplace than their male counterparts; that is, holding other factors constant, women’s expectations from jobs are lower than men’s. This hypothesis ispartiallysupported by the empirical analyses that gender differentials diminish among the highly educated workers, for whom there is less likely to be a gender gap in terms of job expectations.
Impacts of and survival adaptations to the COVID-19 pandemic among the hill tribe population of northern Thailand: A qualitative study
Authors: Suratana Soontaree , Tamornpark Ratipark , Apidechkul Tawatchai , Srichan Peeradone , Mulikaburt Thanatchaporn , Wongnuch Pilasinee , Kitchanapaibul Siwarak , Yeemard Fartima , Udplong Anusorn
Published: June 2021

Background

COVID-19 has exerted a variety of impacts on people, particularly people with limited education living in poor economic settings. This study investigates the impacts of and adaptations to COVID-19 among the hill tribe people of northern Thailand.

Methods

A qualitative method was used to elicit information from key informants who lived in a hill tribe village in Mae Fah Laung district, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Fourteen questions on two issues were used to gather information, and an NVivo program was used to extract the findings.

Results

A total of 57 hill tribe villagers participated, including 36 females and 21 males (mean age of 50.1 years, min = 20 and max = 90). Twenty-seven individuals were Thai Yai, 14 were Yunan Chinese, eight were Akha, and eight were members of other minor tribes. Regarding education and occupation, 30 individuals were illiterate, while 27 had attended different levels of primary school; 40 individuals were unemployed, 13 were employed as daily wage workers and farmers, and the other 4 were attending school. Three age categories were used to assess the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: impact of access to the educational system among the young, loss of jobs and family financial problems among the working, and access to medical care for the elderly. Six adaptation stages in response to the COVID-19 crisis were observed among the hill tribe people: shock stage with no prior experience, looking for help from health and other agencies, considering the national lockdown policy, complying with prevention and control measures, reducing stressful situations and following the new normal approach, and addressing suffering points at home and elsewhere.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted different impacts on different age categories among the hill tribe population living in remote and border areas. Effective adaptations have been implemented to address the new normal life under the disease, and six adaptation stages have been identified that have helped them survive the greatest threat to humankind today.
Identification of 3’-UTR single nucleotide variants and prediction of select protein imbalance in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy patients
Authors: Chaudhuri Tanusree , Chintalapati Janaki , Hosur Madhusoodan Vijayacharya
Published: June 2021

The genetic influence in epilepsy, characterized by unprovoked and recurrent seizures, is through variants in genes critical to brain development and function. We have carried out variant calling in Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE) patients by mapping the RNA-Seq data available at SRA, NCBI, USA onto human genome assembly hg-19. We have identified 1,75,641 SNVs in patient samples. These SNVs are distributed over 14700 genes of which 655 are already known to be associated with epilepsy. Large number of variants occur in the 3’-UTR, which is one of the regions involved in the regulation of protein translation through binding of miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins (RBP). We have focused on studying the structure-function relationship of the 3’-UTR SNVs that are common to at-least 10 of the 35 patient samples. For the first time we find SNVs exclusively in the 3’-UTR of FGF12, FAR1, NAPB, SLC1A3, SLC12A6, GRIN2A, CACNB4 and FBXO28 genes. Structural modelling reveals that the variant 3’-UTR segments possess altered secondary and tertiary structures which could affect mRNA stability and binding of RBPs to form proper ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. Secondly, these SNVs have either created or destroyed miRNA-binding sites, and molecular modeling reveals that, where binding sites are created, the additional miRNAs bind strongly to 3’-UTR of only variant mRNAs. These two factors affect protein production thereby creating an imbalance in the amounts of select proteins in the cell. We suggest that in the absence of missense and nonsense variants, protein-activity imbalances associated with MTLE patients can be caused through 3’-UTR variants in relevant genes by the mechanisms mentioned above. 3’-UTR SNV has already been identified as causative variant in the neurological disorder, Tourette syndrome. Inhibition of these miRNA-mRNA bindings could be a novel way of treating drug-resistant MTLE patients. We also suggest that joint occurrence of these SNVs could serve as markers for MTLE. We find, in the present study, SNV-mediated destruction of miRNA binding site in the 3’-UTR of the gene encoding glutamate receptor subunit, and, interestingly, overexpression of one of this receptor subunit is also associated with Febrile Seizures.
Vicarious traumatization in healthcare providers in response to COVID-19 pandemic in Kelantan, Malaysia
Authors: Norhayati Mohd Noor , Che Yusof Ruhana , Azman Mohd Yacob
Published: June 2021

Background

In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, frontline healthcare providers who are engaged in the direct diagnosis, treatment, and care of patients face a high risk of infection yet receive inadequate protection from contamination and minimal support to cope with overwork, frustration, and exhaustion. These problems have created significant psychological and mental health concerns for frontline healthcare providers. This study aimed to compare the levels of vicarious traumatization between frontline and non-frontline healthcare providers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology

All the subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this comparative cross-sectional study, which was conducted from May to July 2020 in two hospitals in Kelantan, Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire, namely, the Malay-version Vicarious Traumatization Questionnaire and the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey were utilized. A descriptive analysis, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance were performed using SPSS Statistics version 26.

Results

A total of 160 frontline and 146 non-frontline healthcare providers were recruited. Vicarious traumatization was significantly higher among the non-frontline healthcare providers (estimated marginal mean [95% CI]: 79.7 [75.12, 84.30]) compared to the frontline healthcare providers (estimated marginal mean [95% CI]: 74.3 [68.26, 80.37]) after adjusting for sex, duration of employment, and social support.

Conclusion

The level of vicarious traumatization was higher among non-frontline compared to frontline healthcare providers. However, the level of severity may differ from person to person, depending on how they handle their physical, psychological, and mental health. Hence, support from various resources, such as colleagues, family, the general public, and the government, may play an essential role in the mental health of healthcare providers.
“I fought my entire way”: Experiences of declining maternity care services in British Columbia
Authors: Niles P. Mimi , Stoll Kathrin , Wang Jessie J. , Black Stéphanie , Vedam Saraswathi
Published: June 2021

Background

The 2016 WHO Standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care in health facilities established patient experience of care as a core indicator of quality. Global health experts have described loss of autonomy and disrespect as mistreatment. Risk of disrespect and abuse is higher when patient and care provider opinions differ, but little is known about service users experiences when declining aspects of their maternity care.

Methods

To address this gap, we present a qualitative content analysis of 1540 written accounts from 892 service users declining or refusing care options throughout childbearing with a large, geographically representative sample (2900) of childbearing women in British Columbia who participated in an online survey with open-ended questions eliciting care experiences.

Findings

Four themes are presented: 1) Contentious interactions: “I fought my entire way”, describing interactions as fraught with tension and recounting stories of “fighting” for the right to refuse a procedure/intervention; 2) Knowledge as control or as power: “like I was a dim girl”, both for providers as keepers of medical knowledge and for clients when they felt knowledgeable about procedures/interventions; 3) Morbid threats: “do you want your baby to die?”, coercion or extreme pressure from providers when clients declined interventions; 4) Compliance as valued: “to be a ‘good client’”, recounting compliance or obedience to medical staff recommendations as valuable social capital but suppressing desire to ask questions or decline care.

Conclusion

We conclude that in situations where a pregnant person declines recommended treatment, or requests treatment that a care provider does not support, tension and strife may ensue. These situations deprioritize and decenter a woman’s autonomy and preferences, leading care providers and the culture of care away from the principles of respect and person-centred care.
‘We’re all in the same boat’: How participatory songwriting might enhance Singing for Breathing’s psychosocial benefits
Authors: Yoeli Heather , Durant Sharon , McLusky Sarah , Macnaughton Jane
Published: June 2021

Within arts and health, participatory songwriting is recognized as an enjoyable and effective way to encourage emotional connectedness and social cohesion. This study used phenomenological ethnography to consider how collaborative songwriting might enhance the participatory experience of a Singing for Breathing group for people with breathlessness and chronic lung disease. Participants used the songwriting process to celebrate and develop their shared identity, musical and cultural heritage. Songwriting enabled participants to share their lived experiences of the anxiety and social isolation of chronic lung disease, and thereby to explore their being ‘all in the same boat’ musically, culturally and existentially. When considered within the context of similar singing-based and writing-based research, this study suggests that participatory and collaborative songwriting projects might confer psychosocial benefits to a group and to its members. While further research is needed, we propose that singing groups aiming to improve health should include songwriting.
High Priority Arbitration for Less Burst Data Transactions for Improved Average Waiting Time of Multi-Processor Cores
Authors: Noami Ahmed , Kumar Boya Pradeep , Paidimarry Chandra Sekhar , Alahdal Abdullah , Safi Nada
Published: June 2021

The multi-processor cores in SoC which have high burst data transactions can play a critical role while accessing the shared resources such as the off-chip memory. These processor cores can starve other processor cores that have less burst data transactions while accessing the same shared resources. The starving issue of other processor cores leads to degrade the entire system performance of the SoC. However, the arbiter architecture in the SoC design plays the best solution to manage different processor core requests and granting one of them to access the shared resources according to different scheduling algorithms. In this paper, we have designed AXI interconnect, which includes arbiter architecture to connect four processor cores represented by the AXI masters and the off-chip memory represented by the salve. Each processor core (AXI Master) uses the AXI4 interface protocol to improve the system performance and the arbiter based on the static fixed-priority algorithm to improve the average waiting time for all the processor cores. The SoC design architecture is modeled in System Verilog HDL; simulation and synthesis are done by using the Vivado tool and FPGA ZYNQ-7 ZC702 Evaluation Board (xc7z020clg484-1).
Análisis de la oferta y demanda en el sector de construcción de edificaciones residenciales alrededor de la gestión empresarial en los Grupos de Interés
Authors: Hernández-Carrillo Carlos-Gabriel , Rojas-Sarmiento Jorge-Andrés , Gonzalez-Sanabria Juan Sebastian
Published: June 2021

El mercado mundial se encuentra inmerso en un entorno de incertidumbre económica y política, donde el comercio y la producción industrial muestran signos de marcada debilidad. Sin embargo, en países en vías de desarrollo como Colombia, existe una expectativa de crecimiento económico moderado, atribuido a la implementación de estrategias orientadas a la creación de empleo, construcción de infraestructura pública y servicios para satisfacer las necesidades de su población en rápida expansión y urbanización. En consecuencia, esta investigación analiza los fenómenos externos que han impactado la economía colombiana en el comportamiento de la oferta y demanda de vivienda del sector de la construcción. Todo lo anterior, a través del análisis de indicadores económicos, políticas públicas y gestión de actores en torno al uso de herramientas, enfoques y metodologías establecidas por diferentes estándares en la gestión de proyectos junto con el análisis de una muestra empresarial ubicada en la ciudad de Tunja. Como se mencionó anteriormente, permitió establecer la susceptibilidad de los fenómenos económicos externos y las políticas gubernamentales en el sector de la construcción. Estas permitirían aumentar la demanda e impulsar otras áreas de la economía por efecto de los actores de la oferta y las capacidades empresariales en cuanto a su gestión, reconociendo las expectativas en la formulación y elaboración de proyectos en el contexto actual. Sin embargo, las empresas relacionadas con el sector de la construcción no cuentan con las herramientas ni con el personal adecuado para este desarrollo integral, lo que permite identificar los factores a la hora de evaluar las capacidades empresariales en torno a la gestión de los grupos de interés, contribuyendo a generar nuevas metodologías e instrumentos que permitan incrementar el éxito en los proyectos de construcción.
Pequeñas empresas agroindustriales en Tunja - Boyacá, Colombia. Una descripción del cambio organizacional
Authors: Acosta-González Beicy-Viviana , Suarez-Pineda Marlen , Parada-Camargo Jenny-Edith
Published: June 2021

En el artículo se exponen los resultados obtenidos de investigar el cambio organizacional de pequeñas empresas del sector agroindustrial de la ciudad de Tunja en la última década. La investigación recurrió a técnicas de entrevistas semiestructuradas y la revisión teórica centrada en cinco dimensiones: i) cambio organizacional, ii) trabajadores líderes y directivos, iii) gobierno, iv) cultura y tradiciones, y v) fracaso y resistencia. Los hallazgos proveen a las empresas una mayor compresión de los cambios como un proceso constante y lento que permite a las organizaciones mantenerse en el tiempo. Así mismo, la implementación de nuevas tecnologías ha favorecido la producción y el crecimiento de las organizaciones.
Crystal structure of methyl 3-(1H-naphtho[1,8-de][1,3,2]diazaborinin-2(3H)-yl)benzoate, C18H15BN2O2
Authors: Ma Qiang , Miao Zong-Cheng
Published: June 2021

C18H15BN2O2, monolinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 13.61(2) Å, b = 7.389(11) Å, c = 16.34(2) Å, β = 113.91(2)°, V = 1502(4) Å3, Z = 4, R

gt
(F) = 0.0544, wR

ref
(F
2) = 0.1651, T = 273 K.
Nonprofit Arts Organizations’ Pursuit of Public Interests: The Role of Board Diversity
Authors: Lee Young-Joo
Published: June 2021

Although nonprofit organizations are expected to contribute to public interests, their tax exemption does not necessarily entail serving the broader public. What, then, makes nonprofit organizations orient their work externally, serving the broader public, instead of internally, pursuing private goals? This paper examines this question by studying the link between nonprofits’ board governance, with a specific focus on boards’ racial diversity, and their contribution to public interests. The analysis of the 2015 US Local Arts Agency Census reveals that boards’ racial diversity is closely related with nonprofit arts organizations’ participation in serving the broader public through civic engagement and community development activities. The findings offer insights on how nonprofit boards, which are neither publicly elected nor publicly accountable, can be trusted to attend to broader issues of the public interest.