bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three‐Dimensional Reconstruction and Numerical Simulation Analysis of Acid‐Corroded Sandstone Based on CT
Authors: Miao Zizhen , Li Shuguang , Xie Jiangsheng , Huo Runke , Ding Fan , Zhu Hongtao , Yang Xingzhi , Li Xiaoke
Published: March 2021

Due to its unique technological characteristics, coal mining and production often encounter an acid corrosion environment caused by acid gases. Acid erosion and a series of chemical reactions caused by it often led to the deterioration of coal, rock, support structure, etc. and induced serious safety accidents. To further explore the macro‐mesoscopic damage evolution law and failure mechanisms of rock masses under corrosion conditions through numerical simulation, a zonal refined numerical model that can reflect the acid corrosion characteristics of sandstone is established based on CT and digital image processing (DIP). The uniaxial compression test of corroded sandstone is simulated by ABAQUS software. Comparing the numerical simulation results with the physical experiment results, we found that the three‐dimensional finite element model based on CT scanning technology can genuinely reflect sandstone’s corrosion characteristic. The numerical simulation results of the stress‐strain curve and macroscopic failure mode of the acid‐corroded sandstone are in good agreement with the experimental results, which provides a useful method for further studying the damage evolution mechanism of the acid‐corroded rock mass. Furthermore, the deformation and damage evolution law of the corroded sandstone under uniaxial compression is qualitatively analyzed based on the numerical simulation. The results show that the rock sample’s axial displacement decreases gradually from top to bottom under the axial load, and the vertical variation is relatively uniform. In contrast, the rock sample’s removal gradually increases with the increase of axial pressure, and the growth presents a certain degree of nonuniformity in the vertical. The acid‐etched rock sample’s damage starts from both the end and the middle; it first appears in the corroded area. Moreover, with the displacement load increase, it gradually develops and is merged in the middle of the rock sample and forms macroscopic damage.
Radiographic Position of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars and Their Association with Pathological Conditions
Authors: Haddad Zahra , Khorasani Mansour , Bakhshi Mahin , Tofangchiha Maryam , shalli Zeynab
Published: March 2021

Objectives. This study aimed to assess the radiographic position of impacted mandibular third molars (IMTMs) and their association with pathological conditions. Materials and Methods. The impaction depth, relationship with ramus, and angulation of 1600 IMTMs and their association with 2nd molar distal caries and root resorption, pathological conditions, and proximity to the mandibular canal were evaluated on panoramic radiographs. The IMTM position was determined based on the depth of impaction according to the Pell and Gregory classification, relationship with ramus according to the Pell and Gregory classification, and angulation according to the Winter’s classification. The classical and Bayesian logistic regressions were applied to analyze the effect of IMTM position on the associated complications using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (credible interval for Bayesian models). Two-tailed

P

value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Of 1600 IMTMs evaluated in this study, 195 (12.2%), 252 (15.8%), and 119 (7.4%) had caused second molar distal caries, second molar root resorption, and pathological lesions, respectively, and 872 (54.5%) had contact with the mandibular canal. Impaction angulation was a risk factor for second molar distal caries (maximum OR = 5.01, 95% CI: 3.12–8.18). Changed angulation and greater impaction depth were the risk factors for second molar root resorption (minimum OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 0.58–4.02). Decreased distance between the ramus and distal side of the second molar was a risk factor for associated pathological lesions (minimum OR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.79–4.25). Mesioangular and horizontal angulations and greater impaction depth were the risk factors for contact with the mandibular canal (maximum OR = 3.44, 95% CI: 2.6–4.57 and minimum OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 094–1.8). Conclusions. The frequency of complications associated with IMTMs was low, but considerable. The occurrence of these conditions might be affected by the impaction position. Thus, regular follow-ups are recommended in order to be able to surgically intervene when the first signs of pathologies arise.
Lecturers’ Competencies: A Qualitatives Study in Higher Education
Authors: Anantadjaya Samuel P. D. , Nawangwulan Irma M.
Published: March 2021

The presence of well-known universities outside Indonesia has attracted sig-nificant interests, not only from Indonesian residents but also from residents of other countries. Particularly, western universities are highly demanded and the competition is rather fierce when students attempt to register and take on the entrance tests. Only the top percentile of students seems to be accepted. Because of limitations in space and personnel, those western uni-versities decided to expand their market base into developing countries by getting closer to their potential customers. With the technological advance-ment and push toward the use of the internet and online learning, undoubt-edly, international universities, including Indonesian-based universities with mixtures of curricula across countries, have become a new trend in Indone-sia’s higher educational institutions. With the growing numbers of students applying to international programs at various universities in Indonesia, it is apparent that Indonesians are more assertive to receive internationalized standards. Thus, matching consumer behaviors, and expectations in the local market would be indispensable in trying to ensure the smooth running and operational activities of the international universities in Indonesia. This pa-per attempts to focus on lecturers/professors, as the pool of human re-sources/capital in the everlasting competition within the international uni-versities in Indonesia. The focus on lecturers includes issues on human skills, ability in teaching, and teaching delivery, perhaps including research skills and research ability. It is uncertain whether the lecturers’ capacity, ability, competence, skills, knowledge, and all attributes of the lecturers to handle international classes are sufficient and fit to the consumer expectations. Re-search is conducted by gathering data from primary and secondary sources in several locations of international universities in Jakarta, such as lecturers, students, and parents. It is expected that such research would eventually the importance of lecturers’ competencies in handling international classes with international standards.
The Effectiveness of Geography Learning in the 2013 Curriculum
Authors: Rakhmasari Dian , Tirta Inti Nur , Wahida Iqnia Fajril , Septarianto M Fajar , Fatah Shandy Choirul , Karina Yunia Dwi
Published: March 2021

This research aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of the 2013 curriculum in geography subjects. Data analysis techniques were used quantitative descriptive analysis as to analyze the data in ways that describe or depict the data that has been obtained. This study was used data collection techniques by distributing questionnaires, interviews and documentation. Data analysis uses descriptive data analysis techniques . The results showed that the use of the 2013 curriculum was still not going well. The effectiveness of learning with the application of the 2013 curriculum in geography is still needed a lot of review and adaptation of characteristics.
Brigantia de Birrens: interações culturais em zona de fronteira na Britânia romana
Authors: Wolf Ismael
Published: March 2021

O presente artigo apresenta uma análise da imagem de Dea Brigantia de Birrens, na Britânia, provavelmente datada do século II d.C., abordando seu material, seu contexto, sua composição, seus elementos e significados, em uma abordagem que abrange tanto a imagem quanto a inscrição que formam a obra visual. São investigadas possíveis conexões com outras formas de culto, traços de interações culturais e os impactos causados sobre a população indígena bretã.
Non duco, ducor: a condição da alma no Corpus hermético
Authors: Barbieri Pedro
Published: March 2021

O Corpus hermético (CH) é um conjunto de breves tratados esotéricos, de cunho filosófico e religioso, redigidos provavelmente entre os séculos I-III d.C no Egito helenizado. Alguns textos versam não apenas sobre matérias cosmológicas, mas também soteriológicas: o estado deficitário do ser humano e um modo de vida distinto que ele pode experimentar. Assim, pretendo apresentar de que modo o CH entende a estrutura do sujeito (noûs, alma, corpo), que estaria afinada à estrutura macroscópica do universo; a origem e a condição da alma; e o itinerário de conversão sugerido na obra como correção do indivíduo.
Utilization and Availability of Advanced Imaging in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Youngran , Lee Songmi , Abdelkhaleq Rania , Lopez-Rivera Victor , Navi Babak , Kamel Hooman , Savitz Sean I. , Czap Alexandra L. , Grotta James C. , McCullough Louise D. , Krause Trudy Millard , Giancardo Luca , Vahidy Farhaan S. , Sheth Sunil A.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Recent clinical trials have established the efficacy of endovascular stroke therapy and intravenous thrombolysis using advanced imaging, particularly computed tomography perfusion (CTP). The availability and utilization of CTP for patients and hospitals that treat acute ischemic stroke (AIS), however, is uncertain.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis using 2 complementary Medicare datasets, full sample Texas and 5% national fee-for-service data from 2014 to 2017. AIS cases were identified using
International Classification of Diseases
,
Ninth
Revision
and
International Classification of Diseases
,
Tenth Revision
coding criteria. Imaging utilization performed in the initial evaluation of patients with AIS was derived using Current Procedural Terminology codes from professional claims. Primary outcomes were utilization of imaging in AIS cases and the change in utilization over time. Hospitals were defined as imaging modality–performing if they submitted at least 1 claim for that modality per calendar year. The National Medicare dataset was used to validate state-level findings, and a local hospital-level cohort was used to validate the claims-based approach.

Results:

Among 50 797 AIS cases in the Texas Medicare fee-for-service cohort, 64% were evaluated with noncontrast head CT, 17% with CT angiography, 3% with CTP, and 33% with magnetic resonance imaging. CTP utilization was greater in patients treated with endovascular stroke therapy (17%) and intravenous thrombolysis (9%). CT angiography (4%/y) and CTP (1%/y) utilization increased over the study period. These findings were validated in the National dataset. Among hospitals in the Texas cohort, 100% were noncontrast head CT–performing, 77% CT angiography–performing, and 14% CTP-performing in 2017. Most AIS cases (69%) were evaluated at non-CTP–performing hospitals. CTP-performing hospitals were clustered in urban areas, whereas large regions of the state lacked immediate access.

Conclusions:

In state-wide and national Medicare fee-for-service cohorts, CTP utilization in patients with AIS was low, and most patients were evaluated at non-CTP–performing hospitals. These findings support the need for alternative means of screening for AIS recanalization therapies.
History in High Places: Tatarna Monastery and the Pindus Mountains
Authors: Greene Molly
Published: March 2021

Monasteries and the records they produced are a promising source base for writing a history of the mountains of the western Balkans. These mountains are, by and large, absent from accounts of the Ottoman presence in the Balkans and, as with mountainous areas more generally, are often considered to exist outside of the main historical narrative. Using the example of a monastery that was founded in the Pindus mountains in 1556, I argue that the monastery’s beginnings are best understood within the context of the Ottoman sixteenth century, even as due regard for Byzantine precedent must also be made. In addition, I pay close attention to the monastery’s location, for two reasons. First, this opens up a new set of questions for the history of monasteries during the Ottoman period; to date most studies have focused on taxation, land ownership and the relationship to the central state. Second, the monastery’s location offers a way into the environmental history of these mountains at the Empire’s western edge. This article aspires to extend the nascent field of Ottoman environmental history into mountainous terrain.
China and the Two Romes. The 1081 and 1091 “Fulin” Embassies to the Song Empire
Authors: Thurin Romain
Published: March 2021

In the late 11th century, two mysterious “Roman” embassies visited China and offered tribute to the Song Dynasty. This paper seeks to reopen the argument surrounding the identity of the Roman embassies. The question enjoyed intense discussions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before interest waned thereafter. Relying on a broad range of underused sources, this paper re-assesses the two most widely acknowledged theories that associate the embassies with the aims of the Byzantine pretender Nikephoros Melissenos and of the Seljuk prince in exile Sulaymān ibn Qutlumush.
The Forgotten Jihad under Japan: Muslim Reformism and the Promise of Indonesian Independence
Authors: Laffan Michael
Published: March 2021

In this article I seek to make sense of the apparent contradiction of a call for jihad made under the auspices of the Japanese empire during its occupation of Java from March 1942 to September 1945. Why was Mas Mansur (1896–1946), the Indonesian religious figure and national hero who made the call, so supportive of the Japanese military administration? And why is this act so seldom remembered? As I hope to explain, Japan had already figured in the reformist Muslim imagination as a patriotic anti-western model for decades, creating a constituency that was initially open to Japanese overtures framed around mobilising national sentiment. Equally some Japanese advocates of southern expansion had thought about such framings while downplaying their preferred vision for a Greater East Asia that would not include an independent Indonesia. How this collaboration played out, with the Japanese eventually conceding ground on Islamic terms to gain national bodies, is a story worth retelling. In so doing I stress that Indonesia – lying at the intersection of pan-Islamic and pan-Asian imaginaries – should figure more prominently in global studies of Japanese policies regarding Islam in Asia or yet anti-Westernism in general.
A Cross-Cultural Examination of Organizational Structure and Control: The Zambian Agricultural Sector
Authors: Meyer Robert E.
Published: March 2021

This article examines modified scales of Hage and Aiken's constructs of centralization and formalization. The modified scales were tested in 16 relatively heterogeneous agricultural planning and service organizations in Central Province, Zambia. Overall, the revised scales performed as well cross-culturally as the original scales have in various institutional settings in the United States.

The results of correlation and partial correlation suggests the importance of environmental considerations in organizational studies. Most variable relationships were supported crossculturally, however, some relationships were reversed.
Floating Sophia, Polarizing to Abeyance, Waqf-izing the State
Authors: Akan Murat
Published: March 2021

The 2020 ‘mosque-ing’ of Ayasofya (Hagia Sophia) shook a cornerstone of the Turkish Republican tradition. I lay out the immediate political context, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the content of five court decisions that built up to the mosque-ing, and what these show about the current state of secularism, democracy and institutions in Turkey. I argue that the Ayasofya episode is a case of polarization to the point of abeyance and waqf-izing the Turkish state. Evaluating the episode in light of the past decade of Turkish politics, I propose that it is the present stage of a trajectory from the politics of modernity to the anti-politics of abeyance, and that the midpoint of this trajectory is the politics of ‘multiple modernities’. It is time to lay to rest the wave of conservative epistemologies emerging from Shmuel Eisenstadt’s ‘multiple modernities’.
Henry Savile and the Elizabethan Court
Authors: Gajda Alexandra
Published: March 2021

This essay examines Henry Savile’s relationship with the Elizabethan and Jacobean court and the political culture of the period in which he lived. Particular attention is paid to the controversies surrounding Savile’s alleged connection to Robert Devereux, 2nd earl of Essex and the court politics of the 1590s, and variant interpretations scholars have made of the political significance of his historical scholarship. Savile’s Elizabethan literary remains demonstrate his persistent interest in the association between militarism and the arts of civil government, and the frequently problematic relationship of virtuous soldiers and statesmen to princely rulers. These concerns were shared by leading Elizabethan soldiers and statesmen, from the earl of Leicester, William Cecil, Lord Burghley, to the earl of Essex, and may have influenced the latter’s growing alienation from queen and court in the late 1590s. A broader comparison of Savile’s career with those of contemporary Merton scholars, however, confirms that he rejected the public careers pursued by other friends and colleagues. Savile’s political connections seem to have served his scholarly ambitions rather than the other way around, and after the rebellion of the earl of Essex he seems to have retreated from life at court.
The Printer’s Copy of Henry Savile’s Tacitus
Authors: Philo John-Mark
Published: March 2021

In 1591, Henry Savile completed his celebrated translation of Tacitus, dedicating his efforts to the queen. Remarkably, the printer’s copy of Savile’s translation has survived, now preserved at the Bodleian Library, Oxford (Bodl. ms Eng. hist. d. 240). Replete with handwritten notes by both Henry Savile and his younger brother, Thomas, the manuscript offers a fascinating insight into the final stages of the translation. From instructions for the printer to last-minute changes to the text, the manuscript shines new light on print culture in the final years of the sixteenth century. This article establishes the manuscript’s provenance, tracing its journey from Savile’s study to Methley Manor, Yorkshire, and finally to the Bodleian Library. It also considers the evidence provided by the manuscript of collaboration between Henry and Thomas Savile as they undertook this extraordinary translation-cum-commentary. Finally, by comparing the text of the translation as it appears in the printer’s copy with that of the published version, the article explores what this manuscript reveals about Savile’s methods of, and approach to, translation.
Politics, Patronage and Medieval Scholarship: Henry Savile’s Rerum Anglicarum scriptores post Bedam (1596) in Context
Authors: Roebuck Thomas
Published: March 2021

Henry Savile’s Rerum Anglicarum scriptores (1596), his collection of writings of medieval historians, was essential reading for Britain’s antiquaries for generations. However, it has not generally figured largely in histories of British antiquarianism and its publication has seemed a puzzling episode in Savile’s scholarly career. This article draws on newly-discovered or redated print and manuscript evidence to illuminate the nexus of politics and patronage from which the book emerged. Exploring Savile’s place within British antiquarianism, his practice as an editor of medieval manuscripts, and the volume’s publication in Frankfurt, the essay argues that Savile’s Scriptores constitutes a significant departure from earlier sixteenth-century traditions of medieval textual editing.
The gall wasp fauna of Iran (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae): species checklist and biogeographical assessment
Authors: TAVAKOLI MAJID , HOSSEINI-CHEGENI ASADOLLAH , STONE GRAHAM N. , SADEGHI SEYED E. , ATKINSON R. J. , MELIKA GEORGE
Published: March 2021

We provide a checklist of the gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipinae) of Iran, and place these records in a biogeographical perspective on three spatial scales, comprising (i) the Western Palaearctic, (ii) Western Asia (Turkey, the southern Caucasus and the Middle East) and (iii) regions within Iran. We present distribution and biological data for 121 species in 24 genera, representing nine of the 12 known cynipid gall wasp tribes. The most species–rich tribe in Iran is the oak gall wasp tribe Cynipini, with 74 species and 11 genera. Cynipid species richness is highest in the central and northern Zagros, with a distinctively different fauna in the forests along the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. Of the species found in Iran, 63 have distributions that extend westwards far into Europe, and can be considered Western Palaearctic species. Twenty four species comprise a distinct eastern component within the Western Palaearctic, with distributions that include Iran and some or all of Turkey, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Twenty one species are apparently endemic to Iran, with distinct Zagros and Caspian components. We highlight biological and phylogeographic processes that may underlie these patterns.
Two new Canthocamptidae (Copepoda, Harpacticoida) from sponges of the Kara and Laptev Seas
Authors: NOVIKOV ALEKSANDR , SHARAFUTDINOVA DAYANA
Published: March 2021

We studied copepods washed off the sponges from two Arctic seas: the Kara and the Laptev. We found new species in families Miraciidae, Canthocamptidae Brady, 1880, Argestidae, and Ectinosomatidae. We describe two new species of the Canthocamptidae Brady, 1880. Heteropsyllus spongiophilus sp. nov. from the Kara Sea, differs from its congeners in the armament of the swimming legs and the maxilliped. Mesopsyllus glacialis sp. nov. from the Laptev Sea, can be distinguished by the legs armament, its sexual dimorphism and the 7-segmented female antennules.
New Australian Erotylinae with notes on Dacnini (Coleoptera: Cucujoidea: Erotylidae)
Authors: SKELLEY PAUL E. , LESCHEN RICHARD A. B. , LIU ZHENHUA
Published: March 2021

In preparation for upcoming studies, several new taxa of Australian Erotylinae (Coleoptera: Erotylidae) need to be described to make names available. New genera and species in Dacnini and Megalodacnini are described. Echinothallis banderbearella, new genus and species (Dacnini); Microdacne, new genus, with four new species (Dacnini), M. gloriousa, M. lamingtonia, M. nardia, M. styxia; and Episcaphula (Tropidoscaphula) megalodacnoides, new species (Megalodacnini). Variation of female terminalia and other characters in several genera are discussed regarding the monophyly and generic diversity of Dacnini.
Review of the Pacific leafhopper genus Hecaloidella (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae: Selenocephalini) with description of sixteen new species
Authors: XU DELIANG , WEBB MICHAEL D. , SHANG SUQIN , ZHANG YALIN
Published: March 2021

Eighteen species of the Pacific leafhopper genus Hecaloidella Osborn, 1934 are described and illustrated and a key provided for their separation. The previously described species, H. nitida Osborn (type species) and H. brunnifacialis Shang & Zhang, and the following sixteen new species are treated: H. brunifasciata Zhang & Webb, H. bimaculata Zhang & Webb, H. borneoensis Zhang & Webb, H. brevis Zhang & Webb, H. brevipenis Zhang & Webb, H. brevispina Zhang & Webb, H. caudospina Zhang & Webb, H. knighti Zhang & Webb, H. longipenis Zhang & Webb, H. nudapenis Zhang & Webb, H. pacifica Zhang & Webb, H. quadripicta Zhang & Webb, H. quadrispina Zhang & Webb, H. sandakanensis Zhang & Webb, H. singaporensis Zhang & Webb and H. spinosa Zhang & Webb spp. nov..
A new schistosome (Digenea: Schistosomatidae) from the nasal tissue of South America black-necked swans, Cygnus melancoryphus (Anatidae) and the endemic pulmonate snail Chilina gibbosa
Authors: FLORES VERÓNICA , VIOZZI GUSTAVO , CASALINS LAURA , LOKER ERIC SAMUEL , BRANT SARA VANESSA
Published: March 2021

To date, 9 species of Schistosomatidae have been found parasitizing the nasal tissues of mammal and bird hosts in the Eastern Hemisphere, 5 species in Rwanda (Africa), 2 in Australia (Oceania) and 2 in Eurasia. During a parasitological survey of black necked swans, Cygnus melancoryphus, an anatid endemic to South America, schistosome worms in the nasal tissue were found; the first in the Americas. Morphological results based on male worms and in isolated eggs. The worms have a spiny tegument, filiform body with rounded posterior end, two muscular suckers, a robust gynaecophoric channel with thickened cross bands, and around 130 testes. The eggs are elongate with an asymmetrical bulge, with a slender process at one end and a longer curved process at the other. Diagnostic morphological characteristics do not match with any schistosome genus. Part of the mitochondrial cox1 and nuclear DNA 28S partial genes were sequenced and compared to Schistosomatidae in GenBank. The genetic results confirm the distinctiveness of the specimens since they do not group with any described genus or undescribed lineage other than cercariae of “Chilina lineage 1” that emerge from the Patagonian Chilina gibbosa, a freshwater snail endemic to South America. Based on morphological and genetic characterization of these schistosomes, these specimens represent a new genus and species that parasitizes black necked swans as adults in the nasal tissue, and C. gibbosa is the first intermediate host, both hosts being endemic to South America.
Pelagic amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidea) in western Mexico. 2. Family Eupronoidae
Authors: GASCA REBECA , HENDRICKX MICHEL E.
Published: March 2021

During deep-water (0–1550m) sampling operations off western Mexico performed between 1989 and 2014, a series of 89 specimens of pelagic amphipods of the family Eupronoidae was obtained, including two genera and four species: Eupronoe armata, E. maculata, E. minuta, and Parapronoe parva. The most abundant species (50% of total number of individuals) and frequently collected species (in 65% of samples with eupronoids) was E. maculata. Worldwide and regional distributions are provided for each species. Notes on previously used names are provided.
The tadpole of Physalaemus lateristriga (Steindachner, 1864) (Anura: Leptodactylidae): external and oral internal morphology
Authors: MELLO CAIO MARINHO , DA SILVA GONÇALVES DARLENE , ROSSA-FERES DENISE DE CERQUEIRA , CONTE CARLOS EDUARDO
Published: March 2021

The genus Physalaemus Fitzinger is composed by 49 species (Frost 2020), which are grouped in two major clades (Lourenço et al. 2015), the Physalaemus cuvieri and P. signifer clades. Within the P. cuvieri clade, five species groups are recognized: P. biligonigerus, P. cuvieri, P. gracilis, P. henselii, and P. olfersii (Lourenço et al. 2015). According to Lourenço et al. (2015), seven species are assigned to the P. olfersii group: P. feioi, P. insperatus, P. lateristriga, P. maximus, P. olfersii, P. orophilus, and P. soaresi. Regarding their larval stage, four species have their tadpoles described for external morphology: P. maximus, P. olfersii, P. orophilus, and P. soaresi (Weber et al. 2005; Baêta et al. 2007; Giaretta et al. 2009; Pezzuti et al. 2019); two of them have their tadpoles described for oral internal morphology: P. maximus and P. soaresi (Ruggeri & Weber 2012). Herein, we describe the external and oral internal morphology of tadpole of P. lateristriga from Paraná State, southern Brazil, and compare them to the known tadpoles of the P. olfersii group.
Optical Features of Lanthanide Luminescent Hydrogel Based on Polyethylene Glycol with Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Zhao Zhihuan , Wang Yao , Jiang Haoyang , Liu Jixian , Huang Linjun , Zhang Yanna , Wang Yanqi , Belfiore Laurence A. , Tang Jianguo
Published: March 2021

Inorganic/polymer hybrid hydrogels generally exhibit excellent mechanical properties, while extra function include luminescence are extremely explored due to the further application in sensors and optoelectronic devices. Herein, we report the rare-earth (RE) complex/silica nanoparticles
(SNs) luminescent hybrid polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels showing stable luminescence. The hybrid hydrogels coordinated with RE (Eu3+) complex are fabricated via a convenient in situ photocrosslinked procedure. The coordination polymers showed red luminescent color under
the 365 nm UV irradiation. Furthermore, the hybrid hydrogel exhibited long luminescence lifetime. These properties of hybrid luminescent hydrogel gave rise to a great improvement in the potential applications as a soft material.
Motivations and Constraints of Collaborative Consumption, Testing the Mediating Role of Attitude and nature of Trust
Authors: Bhalla Saubhagya
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

The current study aims to analyse the relationship among motivation, constraints and intention to participate in collaborative consumption, with attitude acting as a mediating variable. The study also aims to unravel the role of trust dimension within the context of collaborative consumption.

Research methodology:

The descriptive research design is applied for the present study. Random sampling techniques including area sampling is applied.

Data analysis:

Linear regression, approach is applied to analyse the data. Hierarchical multiple regression is used to assess the effects of a moderating variable.

Findings:

Economic concerns are less important as compared to environmental concerns. Materialistic traits of consumers prevent them from participating in collaborative consumption, and perceived risk also acts as a barrier. Attitude has a very important role in collaborative consumption. Institution-based trust is an impactful independent variable but shows no moderating impact.

Implications:

Marketers can increase the economic benefits of consumers through discount and loyalty cards. Because environmental concerns have a huge impact on attitude and intention, marketers must emphasize on the sustainability aspect of their offerings. For millennials, the most valuable things in life are the lived experiences instead of possessions (Morgan, 2019). Therefore, marketers must leverage on consumer experiences rather than goods. Most importantly, marketers need to focus on the attitude factor. Moreover, the companies must emphasize on the security of the Internet and must explicitly mention the structural and technological safeguards for promoting trust among consumers. The digital platforms can incorporate various measures that can help in promoting privacy and security of the consumers. Areas such as authentication, encryption and integrity need to be given more attention.

Originality/value:

The study has filled the gap in the existing literature by examining the mediating role of attitude on the relationship of motivations and constraints and behavioural intentions. The study has also contributed by exploring institution-based trust in collaborative consumption.
Understanding the Relationship Between Customer Satisfaction, Customer Engagement and Repeat Purchase Behaviour
Authors: Sharma Devika Rani , Singh Balgopal
Published: March 2021

Emergence of technology has not only boosted the growth of customer engagement but has also paved way for customers to become active co-creators with the firms. Customer engagement activities are taking over the customer relationship building activities in the present scenario. Customers’ experience with a particular brand has its impact on satisfaction levels and their repurchasing intention in future as well. According to Rosetta Consulting report an engaged customer is likely to buy 90% more frequently and may spend 300% more than other customers. Hence, the present has tried to understand the mediating role of satisfaction on customer engagement in retaining the customers or persuading the customers to repurchase. The results show that there exists a significant mediation effect of customer satisfaction in influencing their repeat purchase behaviour.
Managerial Obstacles Facing the Ageing Care Centres: A Case of Malaysian Women Entrepreneurs
Authors: Noor Shaista , Isa Filzah Md. , Muhammad Nik Maheran Nik
Published: March 2021

Malaysia is experiencing the rise in the ageing population as it is a more significant challenge for developing and developed countries. Therefore, across the globe, it is imperative for countries to anticipate effectively against the rising issue of the ageing population. In Malaysia, ageing care centres are mostly managed by three sectors: public, private and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Currently, 365 ageing care centres are working in various states of Malaysia. The men and women entrepreneurs run these centres individually or in partnership. This study highlights the managerial challenges confronted by women entrepreneurs of ageing care centres in Malaysia. The study adopts the qualitative research strategy, and structured questionnaires have been used to collect data by face-to-face interviews. The target population of the study is five women entrepreneurs of ageing care centres in the leading states (Johor, Penang and Selangor) in Malaysia. The result highlights that staff retention, lack of qualified staff, technology gap, staff training, less capital; strapped budget and poor marketing strategy are main managerial challenges faced by women entrepreneurs of ageing care centres in Malaysia. This study will help policymakers to formulate strategies for women entrepreneurship in Malaysia. A recommendation plan is being proposed.
A representation learning model based on variational inference and graph autoencoder for predicting lncRNA-disease associations
Authors: Shi Zhuangwei , Zhang Han , Jin Chen , Quan Xiongwen , Yin Yanbin
Published: March 2021

Background

Numerous studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs are related to plenty of human diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to predict potential lncRNA-disease associations for disease prognosis, diagnosis and therapy. Dozens of machine learning and deep learning algorithms have been adopted to this problem, yet it is still challenging to learn efficient low-dimensional representations from high-dimensional features of lncRNAs and diseases to predict unknown lncRNA-disease associations accurately.

Results

We proposed an end-to-end model, VGAELDA, which integrates variational inference and graph autoencoders for lncRNA-disease associations prediction. VGAELDA contains two kinds of graph autoencoders. Variational graph autoencoders (VGAE) infer representations from features of lncRNAs and diseases respectively, while graph autoencoders propagate labels via known lncRNA-disease associations. These two kinds of autoencoders are trained alternately by adopting variational expectation maximization algorithm. The integration of both the VGAE for graph representation learning, and the alternate training via variational inference, strengthens the capability of VGAELDA to capture efficient low-dimensional representations from high-dimensional features, and hence promotes the robustness and preciseness for predicting unknown lncRNA-disease associations. Further analysis illuminates that the designed co-training framework of lncRNA and disease for VGAELDA solves a geometric matrix completion problem for capturing efficient low-dimensional representations via a deep learning approach.

Conclusion

Cross validations and numerical experiments illustrate that VGAELDA outperforms the current state-of-the-art methods in lncRNA-disease association prediction. Case studies indicate that VGAELDA is capable of detecting potential lncRNA-disease associations. The source code and data are available athttps://github.com/zhanglabNKU/VGAELDA.
Association of circulating adipsin with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhang Jinhua , Li Kangli , Pan Lingling , Teng Fei , Zhang Peizhen , Lin Bingquan , Yuan Youwen , Wei Xueyun , Li Wenyuan , Zhang Huijie
Published: March 2021

Background

As a secreted adipokine, adipsin has been recently shown to play a pivotal role in metabolic disorders. However, information regarding the association of circulating adipsin with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in humans is scant.

Methods

We recruited 1163 obese adult subjects with waist circumference at least 90 cm in men and 80 cm in women from the community. Circulating adipsin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Circulating adipsin levels of NAFLD subjects was decreased compared to those in non-NAFLD (p < 0.05). The prevalence of NAFLD with lower levels of serum adipsin was significantly higher than those with higher values (57.6% vs. 50.9%, p < 0.05). Circulating adipsin levels were significantly associated with decreasing levels of fasting glucose and postprandial glucose (both p < 0.001 for interaction) in NAFLD subjects but not in non-NAFLD subjects. The risk of NAFLD was significantly decreased by 21.7% [OR (95% CI): 0.783 (0.679–0.902), p < 0.001], adjusting for age, gender, current smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, BMI, systolic BP, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-c, HOMA-IR, and body fat mass. Importantly, subjects in the lowest quartile of circulating adipsin were 1.88 times more likely to have NAFLD than those in the highest quartile in multivariable logistic regression analyses. However, such associations with circulating adipsin were not noted for metabolic syndrome, abnormal liver enzyme and significant liver fibrosis.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that circulating adipsin levels in Chinese obese adults are negatively associated with risk of NAFLD, implying that serum adipsin levels may be a potential protective factor in NAFLD.
Clinical false positives resulting from recent intravenous immunoglobulin therapy: case report
Authors: Suresh Janarthanee , Kyle Barry D.
Published: March 2021

Background

Many clinicians are aware that certain therapies administered to their patients can have downstream consequences in the form of clinical laboratory test interferences. This is particularly true of laboratory tests that depend on, or directly involve the use of, antibody-based methodology. Intravenously-administered immunoglobulin therapy is one such treatment that can in theory directly impact the results of particular tests in the area of viral serology. This study can help serve as a reference for clinicians researching the impact of intravenously-administered immunoglobulin therapy in the context of positive results that do not reflect the clinical background of the patient.

Case presentation

We describe a case whereby an intravenously-administered immunoglobulin therapy led to a series of clinical false positives in viral serology, inconsistent with the known patient history as well as recent laboratory results. The patient presented to hospital with petechiae-type bleeding rashes and was investigated for thrombocytopenia after initial blood investigations indicated very low platelets.

Subsequent testing of the potential causes for low-platelet involved several viral serology investigations, including hepatitis, cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus. Initial testing indicated patient exhibited negative status for all viral antibodies and antigens (except immunity for hepatitis B surface antigen antibody).

As part of the thrombocytopenia treatment, intravenously-administered immunoglobulin therapy was administered, and subsequent viral serology was ordered. These investigations indicated a positive status for several hepatitis antibodies as well as cytomegalovirus.

Conclusions

This case study illustrates the potential for improper diagnosis of previous or ongoing infection status in patients administered IVIg therapy. Caution should be exercised particularly when interpreting results involving cytomegalovirus and hepatitis.
Temporal trends in pulmonary embolism prevalence in Greece during 2013–2017
Authors: Lampropoulos Ioannis C. , Raptis Dimitrios G. , Daniil Zoe , Tasoulis Sotirios K. , Plagianakos Vassilis P. , Malli Foteini , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I.
Published: March 2021

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) epidemiological data about the disease prevalence in the general population are unclear. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of PE in Greece and the associated temporal trends for the years 2013–2017.

Methods

Data on medical prescriptions for PE in the years 2013–2017 were provided by the Greek National Health Service Organization (EOPYY). Data on age, gender, specialty of the prescribing physician and prescription unit were provided as well.

Results

The total number of medical prescriptions for PE for the study period was 101,426. Of the total prescriptions, 51% were issued by the Public Sector and 48% by the Private Sector. In 2013 the prevalence of PE was 5.43 cases per 100,000 citizens and increased constantly until 2017 with 23.79 cases per 100,000 population. Prevalence was higher in all years studied in the age group of 70–80 years. For the year 2017, we observed 69.35 cases per 100,000 population for subjects 70–80 years, followed by the ages 80–90 (60.58/100,000) and 60–70 years (56.47 /100,000). Females displayed higher PE prevalence than males and higher increasing trend.

Conclusion

PE prevalence has an increasing trend throughout the years 2013–2017 while prevalence in females is higher than males and displays a higher increasing trend. Our results may be used to appropriately organize nationwide health care campaigns aiming at the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of PE.
Parental mental health conditions and use of healthcare services in children the first year of life– a register-based, nationwide study
Authors: Heuckendorff Signe , Johansen Martin Nygård , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Overgaard Charlotte , Fonager Kirsten
Published: March 2021

Background

Parental mental health conditions have been associated with increased morbidity and use of healthcare services in offspring. Existing studies have not examined different severities of parental mental health conditions, and the impact of paternal mental health has been overlooked.

We examined the association between two severities of parental mental health conditions and use of healthcare services for children during the first year of life and explored the impact of both maternal and paternal mental health conditions.

Methods

This register-based cohort study included all live-born children born in Denmark from 2000 to 2016. Information on socioeconomics, diagnoses, drug prescriptions, and healthcare contacts was extracted from nationwide public registries. Parents were grouped according to severity of mental condition based on the place of treatment of the mental health condition. Negative binominal regression analyses were performed to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of contacts to general practice (GP), out-of-hour medical service, emergency room (ER), and out- and inpatient hospital contacts during the first 12 months of the child’s life.

Results

The analyses included 964,395 children. Twenty percent of the mothers and 12 % of the fathers were identified with mental health conditions. Paternal mental health conditions were independently associated with increased risk of infant healthcare contacts (GP IRR 1.05 (CI95% 1.04–1.06) and out-of-hour IRR 1.20 (CI95% 1.18–1.22)). Risks were higher for maternal mental health conditions (GP IRR 1.18 (CI95% 1.17–1.19) and out-of-hour IRR 1.39 (CI95% 1.37–1.41)). The risks were even higher if both parents were classified with a mental health condition (GP IRR 1.25 (CI95% 1.23–1.27) and out-of-hour contacts IRR 1.49 (CI95% 1.45–1.54)), including minor mental health condition (GP IRR 1.22 (CI95% 1.21–1.24) and out-of-hour IRR 1.37 (CI95% 1.34–1.41)). This pattern was the same for all types of healthcare contacts.

Conclusions

Both maternal and paternal mental health conditions, including minor mental health conditions, were associated with increased utilization of healthcare services. Focus on both parents’ mental health conditions (even if minor) may be warranted in service planning.
Japanese health and safety information for overseas visitors: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nishikawa Mariko , Yamanaka Masaaki , Shibanuma Akira , Kiriya Junko , Jimba Masamine
Published: March 2021

Background

Before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred in January 2020, the number of overseas visitors to Japan had increased threefold over the last decade. To minimize the risk of health problems, visitors should be able to access information on the health care systems of the places they visit. Most short-term overseas visitors are young adults. Although they are not very likely to get sick from noncommunicable diseases, they are at high risk for injury and often experience stomach ailments, fever, or nausea when travelling. The objective of this study is to evaluate culturally and linguistically appropriate health information on preventive health behaviours and the health care system in Japan. We will examine the level of satisfaction of overseas visitors to Japan with health care-related educational materials using a five-minute digital game named Sa-Chan Japan.

Methods

Our study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We will assess both satisfaction and motivation before, during, and after the interventions and examine the changes over time. The intervention group will comprise overseas visitors who will view and answer questions in an animation named Sa-Chan Japan. The control group will comprise overseas visitors who will watch an English digital animation named Mari Info Japan. We will recruit 1002 participants through the Macromill Internet portal. We will contact overseas visitors who have either visited or wish to visit Japan from the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia. The participants will fill out a self-administered questionnaire online in the first quarter of 2021. We will determine the participants’ levels of satisfaction with the CSQ-8 (8-item Client Satisfaction Questionnaire). We will analyse the median score of the overseas visitors with both the Wilcoxon rank-sum and the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Our protocol of randomized controlled trials follows the SPIRIT guidelines.

Discussion

Our research will utilize unique digital education strategies in a game that promotes health and safety among overseas visitors to Japan. We believe the results of this study will be useful in overcoming the current challenges regarding pretravel health requirements for overseas visitors worldwide.

Trial registration

Version 1 of this trial was registered in the UMIN-CTR (University Hospital Medical Information Network Center Clinical Trials Registry), and the trial registration data are available on UMIN000042483, November 17, 2020.