bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Social Listening and Its Impact on Firm Strategies
Authors: Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Neenu Neenu
Published: September 2020

Due to the present customer voice in a digital world, keeping a watchful eye on what customers were expressing on social media became a necessary firm imperative. For this study, the authors found that rather than using FGDs and survey research, digital tools like the applications of social media listening could serve as a valuable platform for gathering insights about a firm's latest strategy. This could be complemented by the existing channels of feedback. This research study focused on customer perspective. Data was collected from Indian consumers and social media handling experts regarding social listening based upon a semi structured open-ended questionnaire. The data collected was content analyzed based upon thematic content analysis. Customer voices were reading majorly complaints and compliments followed by advocacy. This helped to comprehend how well firm managers aligned and helped in getting insights regarding marketplace reflections for assessing a firm, its products, and its brands.
Demonetization and Movement Towards Digital Cashless Indian Economy
Authors: Bhattacharyya Rajib
Published: September 2020

One of the greatest painful, un-stabilizing self-imposed macroeconomic blows on the Indian economy occurred in the absence of a short-term crisis when the government decided to announce a major change in the macroeconomic environment by demonetizing the high value currency notes – of Rs 500 and Rs 1000. These two denominations ceased to be legal tender from midnight of 8th of November 2016. The reasons offered for demonetization are two-fold: one, to control counterfeit notes that could be contributing to terrorism, in other words a national security concern; and second, to undermine or eliminate the “black economy.” It has also been a step forward towards a digital cashless economy. In this study an attempt is being made to present a discussion on both the short- and long-run effects of demonetization. It attempts to throw light on the impact of some macroeconomic variables—GDP, sectoral composition, industrial production, inflation, employment—using secondary time-series analysis. The empirical analysis clearly reveals that contraction of currency in circulation was one of the most important factors responsible for decrease in GDP in India after the period of demonetization. Apart from the issue of transition, confronted by the banking system, the government initiative was needed to neutralize the short-term, medium-term, and long-term effects particularly on regularization of cash flows, withdrawals, income, employment, inflation, consumption, and production. Moreover, cyber and other digital security measures were also essential to curb any kinds of frauds and encourage people towards a more digital cashless economy.
What Are the Leading Bank-Specific and Macroeconomic Factors Influencing Islamic Bank Performance?
Authors: Hosen Mosharrof
Published: September 2020

Despite the proven sustainability and growth of Islamic banks during the financial crisis period, many scholars criticise the current performance of Islamic banks. Therefore, policymakers are continuously getting worried due to inconclusive finding of different research related to Islamic bank profitability. To shed the light of raising concern, this study investigates the issue from considering both macroeconomic and bank-specific factors. The annual cross-sectional data has been collected from 46 Islamic banks in 10 selected MENA countries over the period 2015-2019. The standardized pooled ordinary least square (OLS) approach's findings revealed that bank size, capital adequacy, GDP, and inflation have a significant positive impact on Islamic banks' return on asset, but asset quality has no significant effect on ROA. In contrast, most of the variables have an insignificant effect of ROE. Investors, financial analysts, and policymakers will get benefits from this study's results to secure their investment by successfully controlling the above-mentioned leading factors.
An Overview of Emerging Technologies in the Indian Retail Industry
Authors: Kumar Nilesh
Published: September 2020

With the arrival of several new players, Indian retail has become one of the most dynamic and fast industries. With the advancement in technology, internet, engineering, many retailers are adopting and using the internet of things, big data technology, RFID, and other technical software and programs to enhance customer experience, customer engagement through which retailers are improving efficiency. In particular, many customer-oriented internet of things technologies, such as augmented reality, smart shopping carts, smart displays, and RFID tags, are expected to change the way customers experience retail shopping. For this study, the secondary data has been explored and studied. The purpose of this chapter is to study how emerging technologies like big data and IoT implementation are transforming organizational practices and thereby generating potential benefits in the retail industry.
Succession Planning in Family-Owned Business Evidence From an Emerging Economy
Authors: Arslan Muhammad
Published: September 2020

Family-owned businesses (FOBs) play an important role in the economy of a country through the creation of jobs. However, most FOBs lack strategies regarding succession planning in both developed and developing economies. This study explores the strategies that are used by FOBs to prepare future leaders. Drawing on qualitative research design, this study employed a multiple case study approach and selected 13 cases by employing a purposive sampling technique from the FOBs of Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the successors of FOBs. The findings reveal that succession planning is pivotal for the development of business and the successful transition of FOB from one generation to another. Most of the respondents fully understand the importance of succession planning for the sustainability of the business. However, in some cases, socioemotional aspects of generational succession planning require strategies that concurrently focus on successor suitability, the consensus of the family, mode of transition, leadership, and challenges faced by the FOBs.
Coating Materials
Authors: Dutta Mintu Maan , Goswami Mridusmita
Published: September 2020

The ever-growing interest in nanocoating and its enthralling protective properties makes it a very capable candidate for next generation protecting systems. The future of these special nanocoating markets will be expanding in different industries such as marine, building, and defense. The main purpose of coatings involves the use of thin films (nanoscale dimensions) that are applied to the surface of materials, which improve the material functionalities. Some of the improved functionalities include anti-corrosion, easy-to-clean (anti-graffiti), anti-icing, anti-fogging, anti-fouling, etc. Some of the common techniques used for nanocoating are chemical vapor phase deposition, physical vapor phase deposition, Sol-gel methods, electro-spark deposition, electrochemical deposition, and laser beam surface treatment. Commercial application of nanocoating nanotechnology includes self-cleaning coatings, depolluting coatings, ultraviolet (UV) light protective coatings, anticorrosion coatings, thermal resistance, anti-fouling coatings, and anti-graffiti coatings.
Electroless Coating on Non-Conductive Materials
Authors: Jana Anupam , Roy Supriyo , Bose Goutam Kumar , Sarkar Sourav
Published: September 2020

This chapter attempts to make a review of electroless metal deposition over various non-conducting substrates like for its application in the field of medical research, electrical and electronics units, household aesthetics, automobile and textile industries. Electroless coating of metals over conducting substrates have been developed, critically reviewed, and proven its worth by showing excellent desired properties over the years. This review aims to discuss the techniques that have been applied by the researchers to overcome the difficulties of coating on these materials, their influence in their physical and mechanical properties, and their prospects of use in the industries. With the discussion of the underlying coating fundamentals and its historical backgrounds, the emphasis was put into the coating deposition with sensitizations and activations of various substrates, electroless baths, and the characteristically changed properties of the materials observed in the analysis.
Surface Engineering for Coating
Authors: Bag Partha Pratim , Roymahapatra Gourisankar
Published: September 2020

Surface engineering includes augmentation of intrinsic properties of the boundary of the component, which isolates the continuum from surroundings known as the surface. Two main purposes of surface engineering encapsulate primarily the hardness of the surface for enhanced wear resistance and also to poise up with inter-surface frictional behavior. Today, there are many different surface engineering techniques available: starting from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, wet to dry, simple to sophisticated, and low-cost to high-cost to obtain the required purposeful distinctiveness of material. Most methods used today are dry and thus environmentally sound. This chapter describes various types of coatings over materials to get an overall idea of the technique keeping prime focus on graduate and undergraduate students.
Understanding Intercultural Socialization and Identity Development of International Students Through Duoethnography
Authors: Ovie Glory , Barrantes Lena
Published: September 2020

This chapter looks at how two international PhD students (re)constructed and (re)negotiated their identities, and intercultural socialization through the sharing their personal stories and experiences. This chapter employed a duoethnography research methodology. Duoethnography is a collaborative research methodology in which two or more researchers engage in a dialogue on their disparate histories in a given phenomenon. The use of duoethnography allowed the researchers to revisit their lives as sites of research to determine how their different experiences and backgrounds informed the (re)construction and (re)negotiation of their identities in the face of multiple and competing identities and their subsequent participation in the new culture. Through this process, the researchers acted as the foil for the Other, challenging the Other to reflect in a deeper, more relational and authentic manner as they sought to achieve a balance between participating in a new way of life and maintaining their cultural and personal identities.
Why Don't They Participate in Class?
Authors: Zhou George , Yu Zongyong , Rideout Glenn , Smith Clayton
Published: September 2020

This study explores how Chinese international graduate students participate in Canadian classrooms, what factors promote and inhibit their participation, and what approaches can help to improve their participation. Eight student participants and two of their instructors were interviewed individually. Data analysis revealed that all participants appreciated the significance of classroom participation for their learning, but they were quieter than domestic students. Many factors were mentioned that possibly influenced their participation including their English language ability, differing education context and pedagogy between Canada and China, class environment, their personal work experience, part-time job commitments, personal interest, and emotional state. It is critical for instructors to distinguish and observe why their students participate less, then adjust their teaching practice in different situations to improve the participation level.
Chinese Graduate Students at a Canadian University
Authors: Yang Wei , Jing Xiaoli
Published: September 2020

With the growing trend of globalization and internationalization of education, an increasing number of Chinese students choose to pursue higher education in Canada. In order to explore Chinese international students' academic challenges and coping strategies in Canadian universities, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 students studying graduate programs in one Canadian university. The findings reveal that Chinese graduate students encounter a number of academic challenges due to their limited English language proficiency, and the different educational norms and practices between China and Canada. By employing the theory of student agency as the theoretical framework, the study finds that Chinese graduate students possess the agency to cope with their academic challenges. The coping strategies can be grouped into two categories: the first category is to rely on students' personal improvement and the second category is to resort to external resources. The chapter concludes with implications for future research.
The Role of Two Extracurricular Programs in International Students' Informal Learning Experiences in Atlantic Canada
Authors: Fu Junfang
Published: September 2020

This chapter is composed with a strong empirical base on international students' experiences at Canadian higher education institutions. It focuses on international students' sociocultural adjustment, development in intercultural awareness and professional skills, and integration within the community. A qualitative methodology has been applied in the study of 10 international student participants from two extracurricular programs in Halifax, the city with the most higher education institutions in Atlantic Canada. The author holds a unique perspective on this subject for her triple identity as a former international student, program organizer, and practitioner in international education for over 10 years.
Within Discipline and Within Culture Advanced Academic Writing for Asian International Students
Authors: Andrews Dawn Julie
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this chapter is to challenge the Western education system to better understand the needs of international students, particularly from Asian countries. Higher education has become a big business, and many schools have popped up to meet the demand. North America's traditional universities are now well and truly dependent upon international students to fund full programs, and universities have come to rely on international dollars. International students are looking to the West for high-quality education, but may arrive in the West unprepared to face the challenge of writing advanced academic essays.
International Turkish Student Experience in Canadian Higher Education
Authors: Çevik Aylin Çakıroğlu
Published: September 2020

This study explores and discusses the experience of students from Turkey in Canadian higher education. It is known that international student experience is a complex and multidimensional issue and is influenced by various fixed or unfixed factors that vary at individual and national levels. Drawing on Jones's classification of international student experience (i.e., academic, pastoral/living, social experience) and the factors affecting these types of experience (i.e., personal, familial, institutional, and national milieus), the qualitative research method, namely in-depth interview, was used to acquire detailed knowledge about the issue by using the purposive sampling technique. The findings of this study basically indicate that personal, institutional, and national dimensions have a strong effect on the experience of international Turkish students in Canadian higher education.
International Undergraduate Student Choice of Alberta for Post-Secondary Education
Authors: Howes Darren
Published: September 2020

In this chapter, the author provides an overview of the decision-making process that international students will go through when choosing a country, province, and ultimately, an institution for their international higher learning education. After conducting exploratory qualitative research from an Alberta perspective, it was determined that international students are influenced by (1) safety, (2) quality, (3) knowing someone locally, (4) jobs and strength of the economy, and (5) cost. Subsequently, the author will also consider the factors that would influence international students to enjoy or remain in a province after their studies. Having an understanding of the factors that influence international student choice can help the reader understand some of the marketing implications of recruiting international students to institutions and how international students end up studying in the Canadian post-secondary system.
Beyond Recruitment
Authors: Reichert Philipp N. , Bouajram Rohene
Published: September 2020

In this chapter, the authors provide an overview of internationalization efforts and the impact of substantial immigration policy shifts to support, recruit, and retain international students in Canada. Consideration is given to how higher educational institutions, and other key stakeholders play a role in supporting career exploration as well as the factors that influence international students' ability to stay in Canada post-graduation. Future directions and research are explored to further highlight the importance of understanding the international student lifecycle in the Canadian context.
In Pursuit of a Better Life?
Authors: Szczygiel Nina , Staniec Iwona
Published: September 2020

Nowadays, people enjoy the sense of freedom by moving from one place to another, seeking personal and professional growth, and satisfaction with life. Borders have become fluid. In the global world, education and employment seem to be within easy reach. People are pursuing lifelong learning and training to adjust to a changing job environment and maximise career opportunities. However, migrating qualified individuals can face specific difficulties in their way. The present research aims to study high-skilled migration in Portugal. For this purpose, a qualitative approach, with a focus group methodology, was applied. Two focus groups were conducted with foreign-born individuals residing in Portugal. The chapter aims to add to the understanding of how highly qualified migrants make decisions on migration, and how they perceive the job market, professional development, and career growth opportunities in Portugal.
Leadership in Tourism
Authors: Rowlands Josh , Knox Matthew Wayne , Campbell Tessa , Cui Anna , DeJesus Luke
Published: September 2020

This chapter proposes to discuss the application of authentic leadership as the ‘vehicle' forward for tourism. Specifically, how authentic leaders in the tourism industry can help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and why they are important to the Tasmanian tourism industry. As such, the authors propose the research question: How can authentic leadership enable the sustainable development of tourism in Tasmania? This chapter commences by exploring tourism in Tasmania and the related leadership gap found in the industry, followed by a brief explanation of our critical review method. The literature review then examines how tourism, a diverse industry, has the potential to contribute to the United Nation's SDGs. The authors aim to demonstrate how sound authentic leadership behaviours among tourist vendors facilitate ethical employment practices and economic growth in Tasmania. Finally, the chapter explores the possible implications of a synthesis of authentic leadership and sustainable development in the context of Tasmania.
Determinação de um mínimo paremiológico do português europeu
Authors: Reis Sonia , Baptista Jorge
Published: September 2020

O principal objetivo deste estudo é apresentar o ‘mínimo paremiológico’ do português europeu, isto é, a lista dos provérbios mais conhecidos e mais frequentemente utilizados pela generalidade dos falantes da comunidade linguística do português europeu. Para o estabelecimento do ‘mínimo paremiológico’ do português europeu foram utilizados diferentes procedimentos metodológicos ao longo de cinco anos. Numa primeira fase, coligiu-se uma base de dados digital com mais de 114.000 entradas (provérbios e variantes) e fez-se uma primeira seleção manual dos provérbios considerados mais usuais, tendo-se depois calculado a concordância entre anotadores, que foi bastante elevada. Procedeu-se também ao cálculo da frequência de provérbios e variantes (n. de ocorrências) em várias fontes: (1) em dicionários e coletâneas de provérbios; (2) num corpus de textos jornalísticos (CETEMPúblico, Santos & Rocha, 2001); (3) em manuais escolares de Português e de Português Língua não Materna; e (4) em dois motores de busca (Google e Bing). Procedeu-se ainda à aplicação de dois questionários distintos, online. Obteve-se assim uma lista de 318 provérbios – o mínimo paremiológico do português europeu. A lista dos 318 provérbios poderá́ ter diversas aplicações, quer para o desenvolvimento de instrumentos de diagnóstico ou terapia de certas patologias da linguagem, quer para a aprendizagem de português como língua estrangeira.
The study of refusals and pragmatic modifiers in jordanian arabic
Authors: Al Kayed Murad , Al-zu'bi Mohammad Akram , Alkayid Majd
Published: September 2020

This study aims at investigating politeness strategies and pragmatic modifiers used by native speakers of Jordanian Arabic to perform the speech act of refusal. The data were collected from 24 hours of recorded conversations taken from different mixed and same-sex conversations by native speakers of Jordanian Arabic. The researchers observed these conversations and utterances that perform the speech act of refusal. The strategies of refusals were analyzed following Beebe, Takahashi, and Uliss-Weltz (1990) model, while pragmatic modifiers were analyzed following House and Kasper (1981) and Blum-Kulka, House, and Kasper (1989). The results of the study showed that the Jordanians used complex strategy more than direct and indirect strategies. The findings showed that Jordanians used many pragmatic modifiers to soften their refusals. The study found that external modifiers were more frequent than other types of pragmatic modifiers. The study also found out that culture affected the use of refusal strategies and pragmatic modifiers. The impact of culture appeared clearly in the fact that Jordanians tended to use Islamic religious expressions to mitigate their utterances. Besides, it seemed that Jordanians preferred complex strategies because they viewed repetition and using more than one strategy as a polite way to save the face of others.
Des camélias au mandacaru: A Dama das camélias em cordel
Authors: Corsi Margarida da Silveira , Ferreira Maria da Conceição Coelho , Fleck Gilmei Francisco
Published: September 2020

À partir de la lecture de transpositions du roman La Dame aux camélias (1981b), d’Alexandre Dumas fils, à savoir le drame homonyme du même auteur (1981b), le film homonyme de Mauro Bolognini (1981), le film Camille, de George Cukor (1936), le roman de cordel A Dama das camélias em cordel, d’Evaristo Geraldo (2010) et l’opéra Violetta (La Traviatta) (1981), de Verdi/Piave/Duprez, ce travail se propose de présenter une analyse comparée dudit roman de cordel, en tenant compte, d’une part, de ses hypotextes – le drame et le film Camille – ainsi que du roman de Dumas fils et, d’autre part, des principes de transposition ou de transformation du mode dramatique au narratif. Le cadre théorique de cette analyse se fonde sur la littérature comparée, la théorie de la transtextualité (Genette, 1982), le dialogisme (Bakhtin, 1992, 1997), l’intertextualité (Samoyault, 2008), la généalogie du cordel (Abreu, 2004, 2005, 2006), la théorie du théâtre (Ryngaert, 1995), entre autres. Le travail est divisé en trois parties: i. la présentation du contexte de production de Dumas fils; ii. la description de la transposition de l’histoire dans le roman de cordel; iii. l’analyse comparée de l’héroïne du roman de cordel et celles du roman de Dumas fils, du drame homonyme et du film Camille. Cette analyse comparée nous permettra de constater que la transposition de l’œuvre de Dumas fils dans la littérature de cordel – en passant par la lecture du drame et du film Camille – porte l’empreinte d’une matérialité spécifique des poètes populaires du Brésil, en particulier ceux du nord-est du pays. Il nous sera donc permis d’affirmer que, dans l’hypertexte de Geraldo, c’est d’abord la représentation de la ‘culture’, de ‘l’art’ et de la ‘littérature’ du Brésil qui s’impose par la transposition de la thématique et par l’utilisation d’une structure compositionnelle typique du roman de cordel, ainsi que d’un ‘vocabulaire’ qui lui est propre.
The Wnt–β-Catenin–IL-10 Signaling Axis in Intestinal APCs Protects Mice from Colitis-Associated Colon Cancer in Response to Gut Microbiota
Authors: Swafford Daniel , Shanmugam Arulkumaran , Ranganathan Punithavathi , Manoharan Indumathi , Hussein Mohamed S. , Patel Nikhil , Sifuentes Humberto , Koni Pandelakis A. , Prasad Puttur D. , Thangaraju Muthusamy , Manicassamy Santhakumar
Published: September 2020

Loss of immune tolerance to gut microflora is inextricably linked to chronic intestinal inflammation and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). The LRP5/6 signaling cascade in APCs contributes to immune homeostasis in the gut, but whether this pathway in APCs protects against CAC is not known. In the current study, using a mouse model of CAC, we show that the LRP5/6–β-catenin–IL-10 signaling axis in intestinal CD11c+ APCs protects mice from CAC by regulating the expression of tumor-promoting inflammatory factors in response to commensal flora. Genetic deletion of LRP5/6 in CD11c+ APCs in mice (LRP5/6ΔCD11c) resulted in enhanced susceptibility to CAC. This is due to a microbiota-dependent increased expression of proinflammatory factors and decreased expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. This condition could be improved in LRP5/6ΔCD11c mice by depleting the gut flora, indicating the importance of LRP5/6 in mediating immune tolerance to the gut flora. Moreover, mechanistic studies show that LRP5/6 suppresses the expression of tumor-promoting inflammatory factors in CD11c+ APCs via the β-catenin–IL-10 axis. Accordingly, conditional activation of β-catenin specifically in CD11c+ APCs or in vivo administration of IL-10 protected LRP5/6ΔCD11c mice from CAC by suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors. In summary, in this study, we identify a key role for the LRP5/6–β-catenin–IL-10 signaling pathway in intestinal APCs in resolving chronic intestinal inflammation and protecting against CAC in response to the commensal flora.
Prostatic anatomical parameters correlate with clinical characteristics suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Tian Ye , Liu Hong-Ming , Yang Bing , Yang Xiu-Shu , Sun Zhao-Lin , Sun Fa , Luo Guang-Heng , Xia Shu-Jie
Published: September 2020

We conducted the present study to assess the correlation of the prostatic anatomical parameters, especially the ratio of peripheral zone thickness and transitional zone thickness, with clinical and uroflowmetry characteristics suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). A total of 468 consecutive patients with a detailed medical history were identified. All patients were evaluated by scoring subjective symptoms with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL). The prostatic anatomical parameters were measured using transrectal ultrasonography, and postvoid residual urine and maximum flow rate (Qmax) values were also determined. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that both total prostate volume (TPV; r = 0.160, P < 0.001) and transitional zone volume (TZV; r = 0.104, P = 0.016) increased with patients' age; however, no correlations were observed of TPV, TZV, transitional zone index (TZI), and transitional zone thickness (TZT) with IPSS or QoL (all P > 0.05). Peripheral to transitional zone index (PTI) was found negatively correlated with total IPSS (r = −0.113, P = 0.024), storage IPSS (r = −0.103, P = 0.041), and voiding IPSS (r = −0.123, P = 0.014). As regards the uroflowmetry characteristics, PTI (r = 0.157, P = 0.007) was indicated to be positively correlated with Qmax and negatively correlated with TZI (r = −0.119, P = 0.042) and TZT (r = −0.118, P = 0.045), but not correlated with TPV, TZV, or peripheral zone thickness (PZT) (all P > 0.05). Postvoid residual urine (PVR) had not correlated with all the prostatic anatomical variables (all P > 0.05). This is the first study that formally proposed the concept of PTI, which is an easy-to-measure prostate anatomical parameter which significantly correlates with total IPSS, storage IPSS, voiding IPSS, and Qmax, suggesting that PTI would be useful in evaluating and managing men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/BPH. However, well-designed studies are mandatory to verify the clinical utility of PTI.
Sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes in men with cystic fibrosis disease versus congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens
Authors: McBride J Abram , Kohn Taylor P , Mazur Daniel J , Lipshultz Larry I , Coward R Matthew
Published: September 2020

Recent data suggest that cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene alterations negatively impact male fertility beyond obstruction. We sought to compare gene alterations, sperm retrieval rates, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes among men with cystic fibrosis (CF) disease and congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) only. We retrospectively evaluated all men who underwent surgical sperm retrieval at two academic, high-volume andrology centers from 2010 to 2018. Only men with documented CFTR alterations and obstructive azoospermia from either CBAVD or CF were included. Differences between groups for CFTR abnormality, sperm retrieval, and ICSI outcomes were statistically analyzed. Overall,39 patients were included with 10 in the CF and 29 in the CBAVD groups. Surgical sperm retrieval rates were significantly lower in the CF group for sperm concentration (14.8 × 106 ml-1
vs 61.4 × 106 m-1, P = 0.02) and total motile sperm count (2.9 million vs 11.4 million, P = 0.01). This difference was only predicted by homozygous delta F508 CFTR mutations (P < 0.05). The CF group also demonstrated a significantly higher rate of rescue testicular sperm extraction (70.0% vs 27.6%, P < 0.03) and lower fertilization rate with ICSI (32.5% vs 68.9%, P < 0.01). In conclusion, those with CF demonstrated lower sperm quality, greater difficulty with sperm retrieval, and worse ICSI outcomes compared with CBAVD-only patients. Homozygous delta F508 CFTR mutations appear to significantly impair spermatogenesis and sperm function.
Localizing a metabolic focus during a functional seizure with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography
Authors: Mirzaei Siroos , Preitler Barbara , Wenzel Thomas
Published: September 2020

Traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term mental seizures that are difficult to differentiate from dissociative psychogenic symptoms, respectively, psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Recent articles have drawn attention to the need of differentiation of psychological and brain trauma-related symptoms in survivors of violence. This case study reflects a diagnostic step in a 20-year-male who reported to have been subjected to torture, including blunt force to the head 2 years before examination. He suffers from episodical headaches followed by mental bouts of aggression and restlessness. We performed a brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography to identify a cerebral correlate of the psychogenic seizures. The examination yielded a hypermetabolic focus in the frontal superior parasagittal region. Psychogenic seizures can frequently be observed as culture-specific “idioms of distress” and can challenge diagnostic evaluation, especially in the victims of violence with an additional history of blunt brain trauma. The advances in molecular imaging such as PET can be expected to play a crucial role in forensic and clinical assessment in the increasing number of such patients.
An overview on prostate-specific membrane antigen uptake in malignancies other than prostate cancer: A pictorial essay
Authors: Jafari Esmail , Ahmadzadehfar Hojjat , Dadgar Habibollah , Assadi Majid
Published: September 2020

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a Type II transmembrane glycoprotein which is extremely overexpressed in prostate cancer epithelial cells. Recently, PSMA-targeted small molecule labeled with 68Ga and 99mTc allowed precise molecular imaging of prostate cancer and PSMA-targeted small molecule labeled with 177Lu leads to the development of radionuclide-targeted therapy of prostate cancer. Despite its name, it has been shown that PSMA has been expressed in several malignancies which can be due to significant neovascularization. Present pictorial assay reports the nonspecific tracer uptake in some malignancies during 68Ga-PSMA positron-emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and 99mTc-PSMA scintigraphy.
Low Genetic Diversity in Turkish Populations of Wels Catfish Silurus glanis L., 1758 (Siluridae, Pisces) Revealed by Mitochondrial Control Region Sequences
Authors: Bektas Yusuf , Aksu Ismail , Kalayci Gokhan , Turan Davut
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of Wels catfish Silurus glanis L. 1758 in Turkey using squences of the mitochondrial DNA control region The 887-bp fragment of D-loop was aligned for 112 S. glanis individuals from ten wild populations in Turkey, defined by 29 polymorphic sites comprising 16 haplotypes. The low haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity within each population ranged from 0.000 to 0.378 and from 0.0000 to 0.0045, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance showed significant genetic differentiation among ten populations (FST =0.940; P<0.01). AMOVA revealed that the most of genetic variation was found between Thrace and Anatolia clades (74,07 %). The phylogenetic trees and haplotype network topologies were consistent with the results of AMOVA analysis. The non-significant negative Tajima's D (-0.875 P<0.05) and Fu's Fs (-0.381, P<0.02) values and mismatch distribution for S. glanis populations indicated no evidence for changes in population size. Furthermore, goodness-of-fit of the observed versus the theoretical mismatch distribution tested the sum of squared deviation (SSD; 0.00308, P>0.05), Harpending’s raggedness index (Hri; 0,300, P>0.05) and Ramos-Onsins & Rozas (R2; 0,0771, P>0.05), supporting population neutrality.
Comparative Study on Growth and Economic Performances of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus Reared Under Different Culture Enclosures in Akure, Nigeria
Authors: Ifedayo Oluwalola Oluwatuyi , Adewale Fagbenro Oyedapo , Thomas Adebayo Olabode
Published: September 2020

This study was conducted to determine the growth and economic performances of Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus reared in different culture enclosures in Akure. 900 O. niloticus fingerlings (mean weight 8.30±0.06g) were acclimatized for 24 hours, out of which one hundred fingerlings were randomly selected and distributed into the three prepared culture enclosures (plastic tanks, sandcrete tanks and earthen ponds) of the same size (3.0m X 2.8m X 1.0m). Each treatment was in triplicates. The fingerlings were fed with formulated standard diet of 30% crude protein at 5% body weight. Fish were fed twice daily for 185 days. The total yield of fish was significantly greater (P<0.05) in earthen pond, 1.93kg than those in sandcrete 1.47kg and plastic tanks 1.42kg. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in final weight gain, feed conversion ratio, mean daily weight gain between O. niloticus fingerlings stocked in the three culture enclosures. Fish in earthen pond had the highest weight gain (135.9g) and specific growth rate (1.54%). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the Net profit obtained and benefit cost ration for the three culture enclosures. The study considered earthen pond to be more productive and the most ideal culture enclosure for growth optimization of O. niloticus.
Within the Spinning Stillness of the Present
Authors: Heubel Fabian
Published: September 2020

Taiwan is an island in East Asia on which the complex effects of hybrid modernization have been experienced particularly directly and strongly. This situation also gave rise to perspectives in the study of literature and philosophy which differ significantly from those on the Chinese mainland. Why did transcultural philosophy find good conditions for development in contemporary Taiwan? This paper addresses this question by situating the recent development of “transcultural Zhuangzi-studies” within a larger cultural and political constellation. It begins with very general reflections on “transcultural Taiwan” and ends with a more specific discussion of Yang Rubin’s 楊儒賓 conceptual paradigm of a “material-energetic-spiritual subject”. My aim is to give an overview of the broader cultural and political situation, in which “transcultural Zhuangzi-studies” appeared and developed. Moreover, the paradigm of triadic subjectivity that Yang has been developing for decades can be read as “transcultural” because it allows the communication of different, often disparate cultural sources, classical and modern, Eastern and Western. This proposal is not only philosophically but also politically significant: Taiwan’s complex path to democratization and the development of this new “paradigm of subjectivity” deeply correspond to one another.
Chinese Philosophy, “Postcomparative” Approaches and Transcultural Studies
Authors: S. Rošker Jana
Published: September 2020

In the previous issue of Asian Studies (May 2020), Vytis Silius published a paper entitled Diversifying Academic Philosophy: The Post-Comparative Turn and Transculturalism, in which he dealt with some basic, significant and hitherto still unsolved questions regarding the so-called “post-comparative shift” in Chinese and intercultural philosophy.
Huang Chun-Chieh and Comparative Philosophy
Authors: Ogrizek Marko
Published: September 2020

Confucianism cannot be posited as merely a philosophical tradition, but can nevertheless be said to possess key elements of a philosophy of ethics, which have time and again been able to transcend both the tradition’s historical as well cultural bounds. While Huang Chun-chieh points out that it is more appropriate to speak of Confucianisms, plural, core Confucian values and notions possess the ability to move from context to context while retaining certain characteristics and changing others. The proper approach to the study of Confucianisms should therefore be interdisciplinary and in line with the new method of East Asian Confucianisms, where philosophy should also have an important part to play. Understood within the bounds of the project of Confucian philosophy (a project that can be seen as dynamic and ongoing in the global environment of the 21st century), a broader and more diverse range of expressions of Confucian thought—particularly through the methods of both East Asian Confucianisms and of comparative philosophy as an effort of a more equal and inclusive philosophical dialogue—could help throw new light on important aspects of Confucian philosophical thought. While the methods of East Asian Confucinisms and of comparative philosophy are different in their aims and scope, they also share common sensibilities.
Energy Consumption, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Economic Growth: Fresh Evidence From Panel Quantile Regressions
Authors: Altinoz Buket , Apergis Nicholas , Aslan Alper
Published: September 2020

This paper analyzes the association between energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions and economic growth. The results from panel quantile regressions for 57 countries and three different regions support deviations from sustainable growth in the full sample, as well as the European and Asian country samples. Similar results are obtained from Middle East and African countries, but the deviations begin earlier. In the Latin American findings, the estimates reveal that carbon emissions (at all levels) and energy consumption (at the medium and high levels) exert a negative impact on economic growth, indicating the inability of these countries to achieve sustainable economic growth.
Clinical Application of Multimodality Imaging in Intracranial Tumors
Authors: Hu Zhicheng , Qu Shanqiang
Published: September 2020

Objective: This study was aimed to investigate the advantage of new techniques for diagnosis and treatment of
intracranial small lesions.
Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 64 symptomatic patients suffering from intracranial
small lesions and underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) and
neuro-navigation assisted surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from January 2010
to December 2017, and evaluated the diagnosis, extent of resection and operation time.
Results: Among 8 cases of neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors, 3 underwent preoperative cerebral plain
MR, enhanced MR, MRS and PWI, 1 underwent cerebral plain MR, enhanced MR and MRS, whose imaging
diagnoses were consistent with postoperative pathology. Another 3 cases underwent neuro-navigation assisted
surgery whose tumors were totally resected. Among 19 cases of astrocytoma, 7 underwent neuro-navigation
assisted surgery and their tumors were totally resected, another 12 underwent traditional craniotomy with 1
case of subtotal resection. Total resection was performed in 37 patients with cavernous hemangioma, and the
operation time of 16 patients with intraoperative neuro-navigation was shorter than that of the other 21
patients with traditional craniotomy (t = -2.164, P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The neuronal and mixed neuronal-glial tumors could be diagnosed accurately through combining
MRS with PWI, which provide theoretical reference for surgical resection. With the aid of neuro-navigation,
intracranial tumors can be precisely positioned and totally resected.
SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN PEMILIHAN PERUMAHAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE TOPSIS BERBASIS ANDROID (Studi Kasus : Kecamatan Subang)
Authors: Wijaya Anderias Eko , Nurlaelah Siti
Published: September 2020

Perumahan adalah kelompok rumah yang berfungsi sebagai lingkungan tempat tinggal atau lingkungan hunian yang dilengkapi dengan prasarana dan sarana lingkungan. Memilih perumahan tidaklah mudah dengan apa yang kita inginkan. Karena sulitnya mendapatkan informasi mengenai keakuratan dalam melakukan pencarian rumah yang sesuai dengan kriteria, serta terdapat banyak pilihan perumahan yang beragam bentuk dan lokasi strategis dengan pusat kota atau pusat perbelanjaan. Sebab setiap orang ingin memiliki rumah yang nyaman, aman dan strategis. Dari permasalahan tersebut dibutuhkan sistem yang didalamnya dapat melakukan perankingan atas data perumahan dari beberapa parameter yang akan digunakan dalam menentukan pemilihan perumahan yang akan menjadi rekomendasi. Dengan banyaknya pilihan yang beragam, maka dibutuhkan metode yang dapat membantu dalam pengambilan keputusan dengan menggunakan metode Technique For Order Preference By Similarity To Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) dan bahasa pemrograman Java serta android sebagai sistem operasi untuk perangkat bergerak layar sentuh seperti smartphone dari komputer tablet. Tools dan editor yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Android Studio Versi 3.0.1 dan Hp Android Os Kitkat Versi 4.4. Sistem pendukung keputusan ini menggunakan pemodelan Unifed modelling Language (UML) dalam menentukan atau menggambarkan sistem berbasis objek. Hasil dari sistem ini yaitu berupa rekomendasi pemilihan perumahan yang dihasilkan dari perbandingan hasil perhitungan secara manual dan sistem, yang dilakukan pengujian menggunakan confusion matrix dengan nilai akurasi sebesar 89%. Dari pengujian tersebut diperoleh hasil bahwa metode Technique For Order Preference By Similarity To Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) berhasil diimplementasikan dalam menentukan pemilihan perumahan dikecamatan subang berbasis android serta dapat digunakan sebagai media informasi yang dilengkapi dengan peta, sehingga memudahkan dalam melihat lokasi perumahan dan solusi alternatif bagi para konsumen dalam melakukan pencarian perumahan yang sesuai dengan kriteria dan kebutuhan.
RANCANG BANGUN SISTEM PENGENDALIAN JARAK JAUH TERHADAP LAMPU RUANGAN BERBASIS WEB MENGGUNAKAN ARDUINO NANO
Authors: Parlaungan S. Timbo Faritcan , Basrah Siti Basrah
Published: September 2020

Pengontrolan jarak jauh Berupa Pengisian listrik yang tinggi jika lampu dibiarkan terus diinstal. Resiko mengatasi kriminal melepaskan jika lampu rumah tidak menyala di malam hari. Oleh karena itu diperlukannya suatu teknologi yang tepat guna untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut. Rancang Bangun Sistem Pengendalian Jarak Jauh Terhadap Lampu Ruangan Berbasis Web Menggunakan Arduino Nano. Piranti ini adalah alat yang dirancang untuk menghubungkan jarak jauh lampu dalam ruangan berbasis web. Lampu yang dikendalikan yaitu lampu ruang servis motor, ruang penyimpanan, gudang dan kamar yang menggunkan router TP LINK TDW - 8968 jarak 2 meter dari lampu.Jarak operasional maksimal yang telah diujikan dengan menggunakan satu buah router istri yaitu 100m. Namun, jika dikembangkan dengan menggunakan jaringan komputer, WAN jarak dapat disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan selama perangkat terkoneksi dalam satu jaringan lokal. Mengelola lampu jarak jauh menggunakan situs web, sistem dapat membantu atau mengefisienkan waktu yang digunakan untuk memadamkan atau menghidupkan lampu dengan skala besar dan banyak
SISTEM MONITORING KANDANG BURUNG PUYUH BERBASIS INTERNET OF THINGS PADA PLATFORM NODE-RED MENGGUNAKAN METODE NAIVE BAYES
Authors: Abidin Aa Zezen Zaenal , Saragih Nasrulloh Abdul Aziz
Published: September 2020

Salah satu aktivitas ternak yang popular di Indonesia adalah ternak burung puyuh. Rentannya burung puyuh mengalami kematian yang bisa menyebabakan kegagalan panen melatarbelakangi penulis melakukan moniting kandang burung puyuh. Pada penelitian ini secaraa khusus dilakukan pengembangan system pada layer aplikasi dan layer servis di system berbasis internet of thing dengan melakukan penggunaan platform Node-Red dan pembuatan basis data local menempung data dari platform. Data akan dianalisis menggunakan salah satu metode data mining berupa metode naÃ¯ve bayes. Digunakan sensor LDR dan DHT11 untuk melakukan akuisisi data sushu, kelembaban dan intensitas cahaya. Jika sushu kandang melebihi atau sama dengan 34 derajat celcius, lampu dalam kandang akan mati dan jika Jika data kurang dari sama dengan 33 derajat selsius, maka system akan menyalakan lampu dalam kandang.. Selain itu digunakan juga beberapa komponen lain seperti Arduino Mega 2560, NodeMcu ESP8266, dan media jaringan computer serta cloud application berupa platform Node-Red. Dapa diimplementasikan proto type system monitoring kandang burung puyuh berbasis IoT pada platform Node-Red menggunakan metode NaÃ¯ve Bayes. Terhadap Data yang diperoleh dilakukan pengujian akurasi dan diperoleh nilai akurasi 80 persen.
Production Management for TV and Film
Authors: Stradling Linda
Published: September 2020

Completely up to date with relevant information on digital technology and HD TV, this is the only title to focus specifically on television production management, and presents an easily accessible and authoritative guide to the area.

Production Management for Television provides a reliable, factual and theoretical framework for an understanding of production management. It includes a reference directory of agencies and organizations, and addresses and contacts for training.

Subjects covered include:

• the main responsibilities of the production manager

• key skills needed by the production manager

• routine procedures

• appropriate paperwork and record keeping

• health and safety issues

• rights management

• career structure and development for production managers

• useful references and further information.