bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fiscal decentralization and convergence in government spending in Malaysia
Authors: Yusof Yusniliyana , Kalirajan Kaliappa , Mohamad Azhar 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTIn this study, we highlight the influence of the federal system on the development expenditure of the states, which is crucial for socio‐economic development. First, we examine whether there is a convergence in development expenditure across Malaysian states. Second, we investigate the importance of decentralization in affecting the pattern of development expenditure in the short‐term and in the long‐term. The convergence analysis utilizes annual growth data from 2000 through 2015 for the short‐term and the averages of 3‐ and 5‐year growth for the long‐term. In this study, we employ the panel data approaches of pooled OLS, fixed effects and random effects estimation procedures. The findings provide empirical evidence of the convergence of development expenditure across the states in Malaysia in both the short‐term and the long‐term. Generally, all fiscal decentralization indicators (state per capita revenue, state own‐source per capita revenue, state own‐source revenue as a share of total revenue and inter‐state fiscal capacity) are imperative in influencing the fiscal behaviour of state governments in Malaysia. These indicators, as well as assistance from the federal government in the form of transfer payment, are very much needed to strengthen the expenditure capacity of the Malaysian states.
Fecal occult blood and urinary cytology tests for rapid screening of inflammatory infection in the gastrointestinal and urological systems in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019
Authors: Du Li , Cao Xiaoling , Chen Jing , Wei Xiuqi , Zeng Yi , Cheng Chen , Lin Yuqi , Tan Wenbin , Wang Hui 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundGastrointestinal infections (GI) and urological infections (UI) have not been fully addressed in COVID‐19 patients. We aimed to evaluate the values of routine fecal occult blood (FOB) test and urinary cytology test (UCT) for screening of GI and UI in COVID‐19 patients.MethodsIn this retrospective study, COVID‐19 patients without associated comorbidities were divided into FOB‐ or UCT‐positive or FOB‐ or UCT‐negative groups. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were then compared.ResultsA total of 13.6% of patients (47 of 345) tested positive for FOB, and 57.4% (27 of 47) of these patients lacked gastrointestinal symptoms. A total of 30.1% of patients (104 of 345) exhibited gastrointestinal symptoms, and 38.0% (131 of 345) were positive for either FOB or gastrointestinal symptoms. FOB‐positive patients possessed significantly higher levels of C‐reactive protein and fewer lymphocytes than FOB‐negative patients. A total of 36.9% of patients (80 of 217) exhibited positive UCT, and 97.5% (78 of 80) of these patients possessed normal levels of serum markers for renal injuries. Significant differences in age and sex ratios were observed between the UCT‐positive and UCT‐negative groups, and 72.4% (42 of 58) of female patients over 60 years old were UCT‐positive.ConclusionsFecal occult blood test in combination with gastrointestinal symptoms could serve as a simple and useful screening approach for GI diagnoses for COVID‐19. Age and sex are risk factors for UI in COVID‐19 patients. UCT could be a sensitive tool for assessing early UI at a stage in which serum markers for renal injuries appear normal.
A meta‐analysis of sleep and work performance: An examination of moderators and mediators
Authors: Henderson Alexandra A. , Horan Kristin A. 
Published: October 2020

SummaryThe present study utilizes meta‐analytic techniques to examine the literature on sleep and work performance. In line with previous meta‐analytic research, results indicate that sleep and work performance have a positive relationship. However, more importantly, results from moderator analyses reveal that the type of sleep measurement (sleep quantity and sleep quality), work performance measurement (task performance, organizational citizenship behavior, and counterproductive work behavior), analysis method (between‐person and within‐person), sleep report source (self‐report, other report, and objective), sleep recall window (day, week/month, and more than 1 month), and study setting (field and laboratory) differentially influence the strength of the sleep–work performance relationship. Furthermore, meta‐analytic SEM results indicate that certain mediators (affect, job attitudes, and cognitive resources) provide stronger explanations (i.e., stronger indirect effects) for the relationship between sleep and work performance, depending on the specific type of performance being examined. In general, results highlight the importance of construct operationalization and methodology decisions when conducting sleep–work performance research and provide greater insight into explanations for the relationship between sleep and work performance. Research implications, practical implications, potential limitations, and future directions are also discussed.
Comparison of physical, microstructural and antioxidative properties of pumpkin cubes cooked by conventional, vacuum cooking and sous vide methods
Authors: Rinaldi Massimiliano , Santi Saverio , Paciulli Maria , Ganino Tommaso , Pellegrini Nicoletta , Visconti Attilio , Vitaglione Paola , Barbanti Davide , Chiavaro Emma 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDCurrent dietary guidelines recommend five or more fruit, vegetable, and legume servings per day. Often, these products are eaten cooked, resulting in organoleptic and nutritional changes. Vacuum cooking is gaining attention as an alternative cooking technique, due to its ability to preserve or even enhance sensory and healthy properties of food. Its household application is, however, poorly explored. In this work, the effect of vacuum cooking, performed with a new patented system, was studied for the first time on pumpkin cubes and compared to sous vide and traditional steam cooking, through a multidisciplinary approach.RESULTSAll the cooking treatments damaged pumpkin microstructure, leading to cell separation and plasmolysis; vacuum cooking was the most aggressive method, as confirmed by texture softening. Vacuum cooking was also the method with less impact on pumpkin color, in relation to the largest extraction of some classes of carotenoids from the broken cells. Significant polyphenol extraction, especially of gallic acid and naringenin, was instead observed for sous vide and steamed pumpkins. The total antioxidant activity, ascribable to the effect of both carotenoids and polyphenols, resulted enhanced after cooking compared to raw one mainly for cook vide samples, followed by steamed and sous vide ones.CONCLUSIONSVacuum cooking, followed by sous vide, has often shown better performance than traditional steam cooking for pumpkin cubes. The implementation of sous vide and vacuum cooking at domestic level or in professional kitchens, and in the food industry, would allow the consumption of vegetables with improved nutritional and sensorial characteristics. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
On the benefits and challenges of blockchains for managing food supply chains
Authors: Katsikouli Panagiota , Wilde Amelie Sina , Dragoni Nicola , Høgh‐Jensen Henning 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe expansion of the food industry, within and beyond national borders, has resulted in complex collaborative networks and supply chains. The management culture adopted for food supply chains has an impact on the quality of the end product and the vitality of the businesses involved. In this report, we focus on the use of blockchain technology, and distributed ledgers in general, for managing supply chains in the food and agricultural sectors. We explore the challenges with which typical management systems are faced, such as food safety, food fraud, and inefficient processes, as well as ethical aspects like fair trade, animal welfare, and the environmental impact of food production. The use of blockchain‐based systems for managing a supply chain offers significant benefits, such as faster and more reliable traceability. Our analysis, involving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Denmark, highlights that SMEs could benefit from blockchain‐based systems that encourage fair trade and authenticity documentation, expose good practices, and decrease management costs. However, due to a lack of important policies and standards, and due to the limited understanding of the technology itself, its large‐scale adoption is at the moment immature. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A study on the effectiveness of a defined microbial consortium to enhance the microbiological safety of cattle manure
Authors: Liu Guoxia , Mamode Ally Nooreen , Dooly Daminee Devi , Li Yin , Boodhoo Kamleshwar , Neetoo Hudaa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDAnimal manure frequently harbors pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli. A defined microbial consortium such as effective microorganisms (EM) can potentially be used as a biocontrol against manure‐borne human pathogens such as Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli. The objective of the study was to investigate the efficacy of EM to decontaminate cattle manure.RESULTSEM was first characterized by enumeration and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts, actinomycetes and phototrophic bacteria (PB). The population density of LAB, yeasts, actinomycetes and presumptive PB was 6.9, 5.2, 5.9 and 3.9 log CFU g−1 respectively. LAB and yeast isolates were molecularly confirmed as Lactobacillus plantarum and L. casei (LAB) and Yarrowia lipolytica, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Picha manshurica (yeasts) respectively. Culture‐independent molecular analysis revealed the presence of additional species including L. parabuchneri and Enterococcus faecium (LAB) and bacterial spore‐formers Bacillus cereus and Clostridium spp. Application of EM to fresh cattle manure, inoculated with ~5–6 log CFU g−1 of antibiotic‐resistant strain of indicator organism E. coli ATCC 25922, resulted in complete elimination of the organism in 20 days, while survivors were still detected in the untreated counterpart.CONCLUSIONEM can potentially be used for sustainable pathogen control in cattle manure for enhanced food safety and environmental health. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluating the potential of electrolysed water for the disinfection of citrus fruit in packinghouses
Authors: Dilarri Guilherme , Zamuner Caio FC , Mendes Carolina R , Junior José RM , Morão Luana G , Montagnolli Renato N , Bidoia Ederio D , Ferreira Henrique 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe largest and most profitable market for citrus is the production of fresh fruit.Xanthomonas citrisubsp.citriis a Gram‐negative plant pathogen and the etiological agent of citrus canker, one of the major threats to citrus production worldwide. In the early stages of infection,X. citrican attach to plant surfaces by means of biofilms. Biofilm is considered an essential virulence factor, which helps tissue colonization in plants. Thus, sanitization of citrus fruit is mandatory in packinghouses before any logistic operation as packing and shipment to the market. The aim of this study was to evaluate electrolysed water (EW) as a sanitizer for the disinfection of citrus fruit in packinghouses.RESULTSUsing a protocol to monitor cell respiration we show that EW, obtained after 8 and 9 min of electrolysis, sufficed to killX. citriwhen applied at a concentration of 500 μL mL−1. Furthermore, microscopy analysis, combined with time‐response growth curves, confirmed that EW affects the bacterial cytoplasmatic membrane and it leads to cell death in the first few minutes of contact. Pathogenicity tests using limes to simulate packinghouse treatment showed that EW, produced with 9 min of electrolysis, was a very effective sanitizer capable of eliminatingX. citrifrom contaminated fruit.CONCLUSIONIt was possible to conclude that EW is significantly effective as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) at 200 ppm. Therefore, EW could be an alternative for citrus sanitization in packinghouses. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Laryngeal fractures in professional and semiprofessional ice hockey players
Authors: Feng Allen L. , Parikh Ayush , Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Naunheim Matthew R. , Song Phillip C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveInjuries in professional ice hockey players are common, however significant laryngeal trauma is rare. Here, we present a case series of professional and semiprofessional ice hockey players to demonstrate the mechanism and nature of laryngeal injuries they sustain during play, and to recommend best practices for treatment, prevention, and return to the ice.MethodsA retrospective case review was done of hockey‐related laryngeal injuries between 2016 and 2019 at a tertiary laryngology practice. Only semiprofessional and professional hockey players were included.ResultsIn total, four cases were included. All cases involved trauma from a hockey puck to the neck. No cases were the result of punching, fighting, high sticks or routine checking. Notably, 1 of 4 presented with severe airway compromise, requiring urgent intubation, whereas most presented with pain or a significant voice complaint. Two patients required operative intervention with open reduction and internal fixation of significantly displaced fractures. One patient experienced significant mucosal disruption with cartilaginous exposure at the posterior vocal complex requiring microflap. The average return to ice was 6 weeks for those who required operative intervention and 4 weeks for those who were managed conservatively. One patient had persistent mild dysphonia and all others had a return to baseline phonation. None were wearing neck guards or other protective equipment at the time of injury.ConclusionThough voice and airway injuries are rarely sustained by ice hockey players, they may require urgent intervention. We recommend that protective equipment be worn and improved to prevent laryngeal trauma.Level of Evidence4
Review of literature of saddle nose deformity reconstruction and presentation of vomer onlay graft
Authors: Gadkaree Shekhar K. , Weitzman Rachel E. , Fuller Jennifer C. , Justicz Natalie , Gliklich Richard E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveSaddle nose deformity is a well‐described condition that most commonly results from trauma or prior surgery. For larger saddle nose deformity defects, bone grafts are a reconstructive option that provide adequate structure for repair. One new technique for repair of these deformities is a vomerian bone onlay graft. We aim to provide a review of literature on autogenous repair of saddle nose deformities, as well as introduce a new technique in which the vomer bone is used as an onlay bone graft.MethodsLiterature review and case series. Five cases in which vomer onlay grafts were used for repair of saddle nose deformity were reviewed between January 2013 and December 2015. Aesthetic outcomes and postoperative complications were evaluated at subsequent follow‐up visits in clinic.ResultsIn all cases where vomer bone was harvested, the vomer onlay graft provided adequate structure to traverse the saddle nose deformity. No postoperative complications were observed in an 18 month follow‐up period.ConclusionVomerian bone onlay grafts are a reconstructive option for saddle nose deformity and nasal dorsum defects. While septal cartilage is commonly used, and ethmoidal bone has been previously described as an option for composite graft reconstruction, vomer bone onlay grafting has not been well described in the literature. This method may be of use when previous nasal surgery has been performed and standard septal cartilage is not possible to harvest. The aesthetic outcomes following nasal dorsum reconstruction using onlay grafts are favorable, but long‐term outcomes of these grafts require further study.Level of EvidenceIV.
Long‐term survival of participants in the CENTAUR trial of sodium phenylbutyrate‐taurursodiol in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Paganoni Sabrina , Hendrix Suzanne , Dickson Samuel P. , Knowlton Newman , Macklin Eric A. , Berry James D. , Elliott Michael A. , Maiser Samuel , Karam Chafic , Caress James B. , Owegi Margaret Ayo , Quick Adam , Wymer James , Goutman Stephen A. , Heitzman Daragh , Heiman‐Patterson Terry D. , Jackson Carlayne E. , Quinn Colin , Rothstein Jeffrey D. , Kasarskis Edward J. , Katz Jonathan , Jenkins Liberty , Ladha Shafeeq , Miller Timothy M. , Scelsa Stephen N. , Vu Tuan H. , Fournier Christina N. , Glass Jonathan D. , Johnson Kristin M. , Swenson Andrea , Goyal Namita A. , Pattee Gary L. , Andres Patricia L. , Babu Suma , Chase Marianne , Dagostino Derek , Hall Meghan , Kittle Gale , Eydinov Matthew , McGovern Michelle , Ostrow Joseph , Pothier Lindsay , Randall Rebecca , Shefner Jeremy M. , Sherman Alexander V. , St Pierre Maria E. , Tustison Eric , Vigneswaran Prasha , Walker Jason , Yu Hong , Chan James , Wittes Janet , Yu Zi‐Fan , Cohen Joshua , Klee Justin , Leslie Kent , Tanzi Rudolph E. , Gilbert Walter , Yeramian Patrick D. , Schoenfeld David , Cudkowicz Merit E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAn orally administered, fixed‐dose coformulation of sodium phenylbutyrate‐taurursodiol (PB‐TURSO) significantly slowed functional decline in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 trial in ALS (CENTAUR). Herein we report results of a long‐term survival analysis of participants in CENTAUR. In CENTAUR, adults with ALS were randomized 2:1 to PB‐TURSO or placebo. Participants completing the 6‐month (24‐week) randomized phase were eligible to receive PB‐TURSO in the open‐label extension. An all‐cause mortality analysis (35‐month maximum follow‐up post‐randomization) incorporated all randomized participants. Participants and site investigators were blinded to treatment assignments through the duration of follow‐up of this analysis. Vital status was obtained for 135 of 137 participants originally randomized in CENTAUR. Median overall survival was 25.0 months among participants originally randomized to PB‐TURSO and 18.5 months among those originally randomized to placebo (hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.34‐0.92; P = .023). Initiation of PB‐TURSO treatment at baseline resulted in a 6.5‐month longer median survival as compared with placebo. Combined with results from CENTAUR, these results suggest that PB‐TURSO has both functional and survival benefits in ALS.
Ethnicity, Neighborhood and Individual Socioeconomic Status, and Obesity: The Singapore Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Park Su Hyun , Nicolaou Mary , Dickens Borame Sue Lee , Yang Qianyu , Tan Ken Wei , van Dam Rob M. 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveIt remains unclear whether ethnicity has an impact on obesity independent of socioeconomic status (SES) and environmental factors. Singapore provides a unique opportunity to address this issue because three major Asian ethnic groups are represented, and government policies prevent ethnic segregation. Therefore this study examined associations between ethnicity, SES, and obesity within neighborhoods in Singapore.MethodsCross‐sectional data from 29,819 participants of the Singapore Multiethnic Cohort who were aged 21 to 75 years and of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicity were used. Obesity was defined using Asian criteria. Multilevel models used obesity as the dependent variable and age, marital status, ethnicity, education level, income, and neighborhood SES as independent variables.ResultsEducation level was more strongly inversely associated with obesity than income level or neighborhood SES. The association between ethnicity and obesity was not substantially explained by measures of individual and neighborhood SES. In females, the fully adjusted odds ratio of obesity was 5.01 for Malay ethnicity and 4.81 for Indian ethnicity as compared with Chinese ethnicity. In males, these odds ratios were 2.61 and 2.07, respectively.ConclusionsEthnicity was strongly associated with obesity independent of SES and neighborhood environment. More research on sociocultural factors contributing to ethnic differences in obesity is warranted.
The Mediating Role of Self‐efficacy between Job Challenges and Work Engagement: Evidence from Indian Power Sector Employees
Authors: Rai Alka , Patyal Vishal Singh , Maheshwari Sunil 
Published: October 2020

The study involves testing a mediation model wherein self‐efficacy is proposed as a mediator between challenging job demands and work engagement. The respondents (n = 107) were executives employed in the Indian public sector power major. The hypothesized model was tested using the Structural Equation Modeling techniques. The first three hypotheses proposing the positive relationship among the study constructs (i.e., job challenge and work engagement; job challenge and self‐efficacy; self‐efficacy and work engagement) were confirmed through results. Further, the mediation hypothesis proposing self‐efficacy as a mediator between job challenge and work engagement was established. The findings signify that addressing job challenges helps individuals to build confidence and facilitate their engagement with work.
To Work for Yourself, for Others, or Not at All? How Disability Benefits Affect the Employment Decisions of Older Veterans
Authors: Coile Courtney , Duggan Mark , Guo Audrey 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Disability Compensation (DC) program provides disability benefits to nearly one in four U.S. military veterans and has annual expenditures of $77 billion. We examine how the receipt of DC benefits affects the employment decisions of Vietnam‐era veterans, making use of variation in eligibility resulting from a 2001 policy change that increased access to the program for veterans who served with “boots on the ground” in the Vietnam theater but not for other veterans of that service era. We find that the policy‐induced increase in program enrollment decreased labor force participation and induced a substantial switch from wage employment to self‐employment. The latter finding suggests that an exogenous increase in income allowed some older veterans to realize an ambition to start their own business or to retire gradually through self‐employment. We estimate that one in three veterans who entered the DC program due to this policy change left the labor force, estimates in the same range as those from recent studies of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, and that 30 percent of marginal recipients transitioned into self‐employment.