bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
STUDIES ON THE IMPACT OF FLOW RATE AND BED HEIGHT ON THE FIXED BED ADSORPTION OF METHYLENE BLUE DYE, BISMARCK BROWN Y DYE, AND INDIGO BLUE DYE ON TO CEDRUS LIBANI (ELIZ ABETH LEAF) BIOMASS
Authors: DIGBO IDIKA , NDUKWE NELLY , OGUKWE CYNTHIA , ADERIKE ADEWUMI , ABIMBOLA ALESHILOYE 
Published: July 2020

Objective: One of the objectives of this work includes to expand the field of application of natural biomass for the treatment of dye effluents from industrial wastes. In addition, it is aimed at elucidating the dependency or otherwise of flow rate and bed height on adsorption using the fixed bed technique method of adsorption.
Methods: The biomass was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to examine the morphology of the biomass. The screened biomass samples were characterized at 1000 x magnification, and 500 x magnification respectively for their surface morphologies. This was done using a scanning electron microscope (FEI–inspect/OXFORD INSTRUMENTS–X–MAX), which was equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray (EDAX) spectrophotometer employed for the elemental composition analyses. It was equally characterized with Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) before and after adsorption to ascertain the functional growth responsible for the adsorption. This was done using a Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer, England) in the wavelength range of 350-4000 nm.
Results: Results for the biomass morphology obtained through the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed the presence of some tiny pores. These pores represent sites where dye molecules could be trapped in the course of the adsorption. The result from the Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) after adsorption show that C-H, C ≡ H, and C ≡ C functional growth were responsible for the adsorption. For the methylene blue dye, at the flow rate of 20m3/s, the amount of dye adsorbed was 8.40 mg/g, 11.30 mg/g at 30m3/s and 13.64 mg/g at 40m3/s. For Bismarck brown Y dye, at the same range of flow rate, the amount of dye adsorbed ranged from 4.71 mg/g to 9.78 mg/g. indigo was the least adsorbed at the same range of flow rate. The values obtained ranged from 2.80 mg/g to 8.00 mg/g. In addition, at the bed height of 4.0–6.0x10-2(m), the amount of dye adsorbed ranged from 5.15 mg/g–24.62 mg/g for methylene blue dye. Within the same range of bed height, the amount of dye adsorbed ranged from 8.20 mg/g–15.00 mg/g for Bismarck brown Y dye, and 5.66 mg/g–14.86 mg/g for indigo dye.
Conclusion: From the results obtained, it is clearly seen that methylene blue dye was the most adsorbed, while the indigo dye was the least adsorbed within the same flow rate and bed height ranges. In addition, the three classes of dyes used in these investigations, which represent Cationic, Anionic and Neutral dyes, can adsorb on to Cedrus libani (Elizabeth Leaf) at various degrees. Also, the amount of dye adsorbed is dependent on the flow rate and bed height within the range of experimental consideration.
In each of the analyses, three different experiments were performed, and the mean values reported with their standard deviations.
The Comparison of Single-Dose and Extended-Dose Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Preventing Surgical Site Infections After Curative Surgery for Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mercan Ã¼mit , ErÅŸen OgÃ¼n , Ãœnal Ali Ekrem 
Published: July 2020

Objectives: There is no consensus on the duration of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP) for prevention of surgical site infections (SSI) after curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma and the data is limited. In this study, we aimed to compare the effect of single-dose and extended-dose AMP on SSI prevention.
Methods: A total of 210 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer included in the study. Patients who received a single dose of 1 g cefazolin 30 minutes before the surgical incision were determined as single-dose group and the patients who received 1 g cefazolin one time 30 minutes before the surgical incision and every 12 hours until the first postoperative day were determined as extended-dose group. Demographic characteristics, postoperative outcomes and the types and incidence of SSI were compared in two groups and risk factors for SSI development were analyzed.
Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic characteristics and postoperative outcomes in both AMP groups in the general patient population and in the subgroups formed based on different clinicopathological and operative factors. There was no significant difference in the incidence of SSI between the two groups (23,4% and 26,7% p = 0,346). Age, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), operation time and operative approach were found to be independent risk factors for SSI development.
Conclusion: In patients undergoing curative gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma, it has been found that the use of extended-dose AMP has no effect on reducing the incidence of SSI and single-dose AMP is sufficient and safe.
The Effects of Income Tax Timing on Retirement Investment Decisions
Authors: Stinson Shane R. , Doxey Marcus M. , Rupert Timothy J. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
In an online experiment, the immediate (Roth) versus deferred taxation of retirement income affects taxpayers' investment decisions such that tax-deferred plan investors under-adjust for future tax burdens and overestimate their future wealth compared to Roth investors. When presented with a specific after-tax monetary goal, Roth account holders invest more in higher-risk, higher-return assets than tax-deferred account holders. We investigate four aspects of this investment context that could alleviate these differences: (1) implementing a “do-your-best” goal, (2) reframing specific goals in pre-tax dollars, (3) explicitly prompting investors to estimate future tax burdens, and (4) providing performance feedback. These interventions reduce differences between Roth and tax-deferred investor behaviors, but do not entirely close the gap on their own. In combination, reframing goals and prompting future tax estimations encourage tax-deferred account holders to invest in risky assets to the same degree as Roth investors only when paired with performance feedback.
Do Disruptive Life Events Affect How Analysts Assess Risk? Evidence from Deadly Hurricanes
Authors: Bourveau Thomas , Law Kelvin K. F. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
This study examines whether disruptive life events affect how analysts assess risk. We exploit the staggered arrival of hurricanes between 1996 and 2009 at analysts' office locations across the United States as a plausibly exogenous shock in the analysts' experience of disruptive life events. We show in a difference-in-differences setting that relative to non-affected analysts, analysts in states affected by hurricanes issue less optimistic forecasts for non-affected firms after hurricanes. The temporary effects are strongest for affected analysts who had never before experienced a hurricane in their office location. The evidence suggests that analysts use the availability heuristic to assess risk. We observe the same effects in recent years, as our analysis based on Superstorm Sandy in 2012 yields similar results. Overall, our evidence indicates that disruptive life events affect analysts' judgments.
JEL Classifications: D81; D83; G02; G24; G29.
Shareholder Litigation and Conservative Accounting: Evidence from Universal Demand Laws
Authors: Manchiraju Hariom , Pandey Vivek , Subramanyam K. R. 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
We use the staggered adoption of the Universal Demand Laws (UD Laws) to examine the effect of an exogenous reduction in shareholders' ability to litigate on the extent of accounting conservatism. On average, we find an increase in reporting conservatism post-UD. The increased conservatism is concentrated in firms that contemplate equity issuance, with a high proportion of monitoring investors, and high corporate governance quality. In contrast, firms with specific short-term incentives for aggressive accounting—such as those narrowly beating benchmarks, those with abnormal insider trading, and those likely to violate debt covenants—weakly governed firms, and firms with high ex ante litigation risk decrease reporting conservatism after UD. Our results suggest that the relation between the litigation environment and reporting conservatism is complex and dependent on specific characteristics and unique circumstances of the firms.
High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin-T and N-Terminal Prohormone of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Relation to Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Costacou Tina , Saenger Amy K. , Orchard Trevor J. 
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVE
High-sensitivity cardiac troponin-T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and heart failure, respectively, have not been widely studied in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We evaluated whether their assessment in T1D enhances the prediction of CVD and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP were analyzed on the Roche Cobas E601 using the first available stored specimen (n = 581; mean age 29 years and diabetes duration 21 years). CVD was defined as CVD death, myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, angina, ischemia, or stroke, and MACE as CVD death, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

RESULTS
Median hs-cTnT (5.0 ng/L; interquartile range &lt;3.0, 10.0) was higher among men (P &lt; 0.0001), whereas median NT-proBNP (22.0 ng/L; 7.0, 61.0) did not differ by sex. In Cox models, log hs-cTnT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.38, P = 0.0006) and log NT-proBNP (HR 1.24, P = 0.0001) independently predicted CVD during 21 years of follow-up. However, their addition to models, singly or together, did not significantly improve CVD prediction. Furthermore, a marginally significant sex interaction was observed (P = 0.06), indicating that the hs-cTnT prediction was limited to men. hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP also predicted MACE, although only NT-proBNP remained significant (HR 1.27, P = 0.0009) when the biomarkers were included in a model simultaneously. Nonetheless, their addition to multivariable models did not enhance MACE prediction.

CONCLUSIONS
Sex differences were observed in the concentration and predictive ability of hs-cTnT and NT-proBNP in T1D. Overall, their addition to traditional risk factor models increased the area under the curve for neither CVD nor MACE.
Sustained Lower Incidence of Diabetes-Related End-Stage Kidney Disease Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, Blacks, and Hispanics in the U.S., 2000–2016
Authors: Burrows Nilka Ríos , Zhang Yan , Hora Israel , Pavkov Meda E. , Sheff Karen , Imperatore Giuseppina , Bullock Ann K. , Albright Ann L. 
Published: July 2020

OBJECTIVE
Diabetes-related end-stage kidney disease (ESKD-D) disproportionately affects U.S. racial/ethnic minority populations compared with whites. However, from 1996 to 2013, ESKD-D incidence among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) and blacks declined. We assessed recent ESKD-D incidence data to determine whether trends by race/ethnicity have changed since 2013.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
United States Renal Data System data from 2000 to 2016 were used to determine the number of whites, blacks, AIANs, Asians, and Hispanics aged ≥18 years with newly treated ESKD-D (with diabetes listed as primary cause). Using census population estimates as denominators, annual ESKD-D incidence rates were calculated and age adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Joinpoint regression was used to analyze trends and estimate an average annual percent change (AAPC) in incidence rates.

RESULTS
For adults overall, from 2000 to 2016, age-adjusted ESKD-D incidence rates decreased by 53% for AIANs (66.7–31.2 per 100,000, AAPC −4.5%, P &lt; 0.001), by 33% for Hispanics (50.0–33.3, −2.1%, P &lt; 0.001), and by 20% for blacks (56.2–44.7, −1.6%, P &lt; 0.001). However, during the study period, age-adjusted ESKD-D incidence rates did not change significantly for Asians and increased by 10% for whites (15.4–17.0, 0.6%, P = 0.01). In 2016, ESKD-D incidence rates in AIANs, Hispanics, and blacks were ∼2.0–2.5 times higher than whites.

CONCLUSIONS
ESKD-D incidence declined for AIANs, Hispanics, and blacks and increased for whites. Continued efforts might be considered to reverse the trend in whites and sustain and lower ESKD-D incidence in the other populations.
Pengaruh Metode Karyawisata Terhadap Kemampuan Bahasa Anak Usia Dini
Authors: Ayu Sovia Mas 
Published: July 2020

This research aims to determine the effect of study tour method on the language skills of children, especially on the aspect of speaking children aged 5-6 years at Ar-Raudah Playgroup and Kindergarten. This research is a quantitative research, with 64 children population. The method and skills of language is measured by questionnaire and observation. Correlation and t test hypothesis used to data analyzed with SPSS Statistics 17.0 program. The result of data analysis obtained r value = 0.770 0,207 with significance level 5%. t test yielded t value = 9,496 t table 1,960. Thus result concluded that there are a positive influence between the method and the language skills of children aged 5-6 years, especially on speaking aspects at Ar-Raudah Playgroup and Kindergarten Bandar Lampung.
Manajemen Berbasis Keluarga Dalam Pengelolaan Paud
Authors: Ramadhani Rizki , Nopriansyah Untung 
Published: July 2020

Penelitian ini bermaksud untuk menganalisis bagaimana manajemen lembaga pendidikan berbasis keluarga. Peneliti ingin melihat bagaimana pengelolaan manajemen PAUD dalam melibatkan keluarga (orangtua) terhadap pendidikan anak baik di sekolah maupun di rumah. Sebagaimana yang kita ketahui bahwa terciptanya orangtua karir (khususnya ibu), membuat waktu ibu sangat minim untuk dihabiskan bersama dengan anaknya. Orangtua lebih memilih untuk menyekolahkan anak sejak dini di lembaga PAUD,dengan harapan anak dapat dididik sebaik mungkin. Padahal pendidikan anak tidak cukup hanya didapatkan di sekolah saja. Orangtua dan guru sama-sama mempunyai peran penting terhadap pertumbuhan dan perkembangan anak. Oleh sebab itu peneliti ingin menganalisis bagaimana pengelolaan manajemen lembaga PAUD berbasis keluarga di sekolah sanggar anak alam Yogyakarta. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah penelitian kualitataif, dengan metode penelitian studi kasus. Subjek penelitian adalah ketua PKBM, kepala sekolah, guru kelas, dan orangtua dari anak yang bersekolah di sanggar anak alam Yogyakarta. Instrument yang peneliti gunakan adalah observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi. Teknik analisis data menggunakan reduksi data, display data, dan verifikasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sekolah sanggar anak alam merupakan sekolah keluarga. Tidak hanya disebut sebagai sekolah keluarga, namun sekolah tersebut sangat melibatkan orangtua dalam segala terhadap kepentingan anak dan sekolah. Bahkan orangtua di sekolah sanggar anak alam memiliki komunitas tersendiri dan mempunyai group Whats app dengan tujuan untuk mempermudah komunikasi antar sesama orangtua dalam berdiskusi, berbagi pengalaman, dan merencanakan berbagai macam program parenting yang akan dilaksanakan baik di sekolah maupun di luar sekolah
Pengembangan Sekolah Inklusi dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Strategi Asesmen Anak Difabel
Authors: Zahroh Shofiyatuz 
Published: July 2020

Abstrak: Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk melihat implementasi kurikulum terhadap anak berkebutuhan khusus, strategi penilaian anak berkebutuhan khusus, metode atau strategi pembelajaran anak berkebutuhan khusus, dan konsep pendidikan inklusi. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Safa Islamic Preschool Yogyakarta, 2019 yang mengembangkan kurikulum 2013 dan dikombinasikan dengan kurikulum Montessori yang bernafaskan Islam. Metode penelitian yang dilakukan adalah kualitatif dengan pendektakan studi kasus. Hasil dari penelitian ini adalah, Safa Islamic Preschool benar-benar menjaga marwah sistem pendidikan inklusi, dengan membuat perencanaan yang matang terhadap proses pembelajaran serta penilaian anak berkebutuhan khusus. Kesimpulan anak berkebutuhan khusus mampu mengembangkan potensinya dengan baik sesuai dengan hambatan yang dimilikinya, shadowteacher mampu membimbing anak dalam mengembangkan potensinya, lingkungan mampu menciptakan situasi yng sangatmendukung terhadap perkembangan anak, penilaian dilakukan sesuai dengan proseduranak berkebutuhan khusus.
Medical Quality and Well-Being Perception of Senior Tourists
Authors: Tavitiyaman Pimtong , Saiprasert Wanlanai 
Published: July 2020

Objectives: Advanced medical treatments and service quality for Hong Kong residents are well regarded. However, numerous senior residents continue to explore alternative medical treatments and wellbeing activities outside the region. The research objectives of this study are 1) to assess the perception of senior tourists of the medical quality attributes of medical tourism destinations and 2) to compare the different perceptions of tourists of medical service attributes, wellbeing and behavioural intention towards medical tourism destinations.
Design: The questionnaire instrument was written in English and Chinese based on the literature review. The target population was senior residents with experience in seeking medical treatments and services abroad, specifically, outside Hong Kong. Convenience sampling was employed to recruit senior respondents to answer the questionnaire. Data collection was from July to October 2019 in residential areas and senior citizen neighbourhood centres in Hong Kong.
Results: Results show that among the 74 respondents, only 42% have overseas medical experiences. The countries involved are Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, China, the United States, Malaysia and Thailand. The senior residents have a more positive perception of medical quality (e.g. appointment procedure, short waiting time and physician reliability) and wellbeing (e.g. response to needs and social wellbeing) in overseas medical destinations compared with Hong Kong. However, no mean difference is observed in behavioural intention between Hong Kong and overseas medical destinations from the perspective of the senior respondents.
Conclusions: Hong Kong senior residents may consider travelling overseas to seek medical treatments and wellbeing activities. Senior residents tend to travel to nearby countries for cosmetic/plastic surgery, eye surgery/Lasik and dental surgery. Moreover, senior residents perceive the communication skills of physicians and staff overseas in answering enquiries on medical procedures whilst receiving medical treatment as high quality compared with Hong Kong.
Retrospective Evaluation on Patient Screening and Counseling Service on Direct-acting Antivirals Against Hepatitis C
Authors: Wong Bob Ka Him , Chong Gary Chung Hong 
Published: July 2020

Objective: Drug-drug interactions and risk of hepatitis B reactivation potentially affect treatment outcomes of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) against hepatitis C. A comprehensive pharmacist screening and counseling service was implemented in a Hong Kong hospital, which aims to optimize the efficacy and safety of DAA therapy while minimizing the risk of drug wastage. The objective of the service review is to explore potential roles of pharmacist in hepatitis C management.
Design: We retrospectively evaluate all cases under service from June 2017 to September 2018.
Main outcome measures: Outcomes measured include drug-related problems (DRP) identified, treatment discontinuation and failure rates.
Results: There were 44 cases under provision of service, all completed therapy except 1 died from underlying disease. 25 DRPs, predominantly categorized as drug-drug interactions, were documented. The interactions commonly involved acid-lowering agents. 1 case was noted with inadvertently lengthening of treatment duration. No cases of treatment failure or hepatitis B reactivation were reported.
Conclusion: The safety concerns and high cost of DAA have created a new challenge to healthcare providers. Comprehensive screening and counseling by pharmacists are valuable to ensure safe and effective use of DAA, hence reducing unnecessary drug wastage.
The Role and Responsibility of Clinical Pharmacists in Rheumatology Clinic: An exploratory study in Hong Kong
Authors: YIP Shirley Wai Ying , Chong Gary Chung Hong 
Published: July 2020

In Hong Kong, arthritis is the third leading chronic disorder among the older people. It could create a huge amount of burden on the health care system if patients cannot achieve good diseases control and have recurrent flare up of diseases. To maintain stable control and minimize acute flare up, medication adherence is essential. Studies revealed that drug education has the highest evidence in improving medication adherence. Pharmacists who are expert in drugs can provide counseling to arthritis patients, improving their drug adherence and disease activities. As a result, research evaluating the effectiveness of pharmacist counseling service on improving arthritis patients’ medication adherence and disease activities in Hong Kong has been initiated in a specialist out-patient clinic of a local acute hospital.
This research aims to improve patient medication adherence and enhance medication safety. A validated Compliance Questionnaire on Rheumatology (CQR-19) is used to measure the medication adherence. From the preliminary data, over 90% of the recruited subjects are non-adherence at baseline and thus, detailed drug counseling is necessary.
During the first visit, pharmacists will provide a 20 minutes drug counseling service to the referred patients. This includes discussion on drug administration schedule, importance of drug adherence, side effects management and pain management. Besides, pharmacists also have different roles in other aspects such as drug information and procurement. Pharmacists would assist in providing evidence-based information and recommendations to physicians and nurses for drug-related enquiries. These attempts to improve therapeutic outcomes and minimize medication errors, enhance medication safety and reduce hospitalization. Design of the multidisciplinary care model and results of this study would provide a reference for the future development of clinical pharmacist service in rheumatology.
Community Ageing With Health And Dignity Through A Service-Learning Initiative
Authors: Yee Hiu Lam , Fong Ben Y.F , NG Tommy K.C , Chow Billie S.M 
Published: July 2020

Background: A new compulsory service-learning subject was introduced in the Practices of Health Promotion module of Bachelor of Science in Applied Sciences (Health Studies), run by School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. It aims to develop students’ ability to apply learned principles and concepts of health behaviour from lectures into a community setting, by completing elderly site services arranged at four selected elderly centres.
Methods: 36 students were enrolled in the subject. An analytical framework was developed based on specific themes, sub-categories and categories. Data extracted from students’ reflective journals were input into a qualitative analysis software, Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) Miner 5 of Provalis Prosuite for analysis.
Results: 5 themes and 24 categories were created based on the data analysed from students’ reflective journals. The three highest frequency themes are ‘Skills learned’ (170 text units, 32.6% of total), ‘Challenges’ (140 text units, 26.8% of total), and ‘Elders characteristics’ (135 text units, 25.9% of total).
Conclusions: Communication, teamwork and organising activities to the elderly are the most cited skills learned by students. They have also identified elders’ personality and characteristic when communicating with them. Although there were challenges when interacting with the recipients and centres, students have overcome most of them and have learned better ways to communicate with elders and reacted quickly by changing the content of designed activities provided to elders.