bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Towards Industrialisation in Tanzania: Drivers and Barriers to Green Manufacturing
Authors: Tumaini Jeremiah W. 
Published: September 2021

For the industrialization efforts to be fruitful and sustainable, they should be coupled with Green Manufacturing (GM) which simply implies clean manufacturing. This study analyses the drivers and barriers to GM in Tanzania. It specifically analyses the drivers and barriers to GM and ranks them for prioritisation. The study made the use of cross-sectional primary data which were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires from a random sample of 185 manufacturing firms in two purposively selected regions of Dodoma and Mwanza in Tanzania. In the analysis, the Binary Logistic regression was used to estimate the drivers and barriers to GM using the STATA software. The results showed that some of the significant drivers to green manufacturing include; firm size, firms resources, current legislation, incentives, and public pressure, The significant barriers included high short term costs, low customer demand, technological risk, lack of awareness and unclear benefits. It was also found that the highest ranked driver to GM was the firm size and the highest ranked barrier to GM was the short term costs. The study finally recommends that the relevant authorities should prioritize on the significant drivers and barriers to GM so that the move towards industrialisation in Tanzania can be more fruitful and sustainable.
Pangsa Pasar, Rasio Leverage, dan Rasio Intensitas Modal sebagai Determinan Profitabilitas Perusahaan
Authors: Felania Rinta Maharani  , Anik Kusmintarti  , Sumiadji  
Published: September 2021

The goal of this research was to analyze the effect of capital intensity ratio, leverage ratio, and market share on profitability both partially and simultaneously. The objects were textile and garment companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange for a period 2014-2018. Descriptive statistic and multiple linear regressions were used for data analysis. The result indicates that market share has positive and significant effect on profitability, while capital intensity ratio and leverage ratio has no effect on profitability. Simultaneously capital intensity ratio, leverage ratio, and market share, has significant effect on profitability.

Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh rasio intensitas modal rasio leverage, dan pangsa pasar terhadap profitabilitas perusahaan secara parsial dan secara simultan. Populasi penelitian ini adalah perusahaan tekstil dan garmen yang terdaftar di BEI periode 2014-2018. Statistik deskriptif dan analisis regresi linear berganda digunakan untuk metode analisis data. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan bahwa pangsa pasar berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap profitabilitas, sedangkan rasio intensitas modal dan rasio leverage tidak berpengaruh pada profitabilitas. Selanjutnya secara simultan rasio intensitas modal, rasio leverage, dan pangsa pasar berpengaruh signifikan pada profitabilitas.
Altered Lipid Profile Is a Risk Factor for the Poor Progression of COVID-19: From Two Retrospective Cohorts
Authors: Jin Hui , He Junji , Dong Chuan , Li Bin , Ma Zhiyue , Li Bilan , Huang Tiande , Fan Jiangang , He Gang , Zhao Xiaolong 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has spread worldwide. However, the impact of baseline lipid profile on clinical endpoints in COVID-19 and the potential effect of COVID-19 on lipid profile remain unclear.MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, we consecutively enrolled 430 adult COVID-19 patients from two Chinese hospitals (one each in Chengdu and Wuhan). The lipid profile before admission and during the disease course and the clinical endpoint including in-hospital death or oropharyngeal swab test positive again (OSTPA) after discharge were collected. We used Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression to explore the lipid risk factors before admission associated with endpoints. Then, we assessed the lipid level change along with the disease course to determine the relationship between pathology alteration and the lipid change.ResultsIn the Chengdu cohort, multivariable Cox regression showed that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) dyslipidemia before admission was associated with OSTPA after discharge for COVID-19 patients (RR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.19, 5.29, p = 0.006). In the Wuhan cohort, the patients with triglyceride (TG) dyslipidemia had an increased risk of in-hospital death (RR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.08, 3.60, p = 0.016). In addition, in both cohorts, the lipid levels gradually decreased in the in-hospital death or OSTPA subgroups since admission. On admission, we also noticed the relationship between the biomarkers of inflammation and the organ function measures and this lipid level in both cohorts. For example, after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, smoking, and drinking status, the C-reactive protein level was negatively associated with the TC lipid level [β (SE) = -0.646 (0.219), p = 0.005]. However, an increased level of alanine aminotransferase, which indicates impaired hepatic function, was positively associated with total cholesterol (TC) lipid levels in the Chengdu cohort [β (SE) = 0.633 (0.229), p = 0.007].ConclusionsThe baseline dyslipidemia should be considered as a risk factor for poor prognosis of COVID-19. However, lipid levels may be altered during the COVID-19 course, since lipidology may be distinctly affected by both inflammation and organic damage for SARS-CoV-2.
Early Coagulation Disorder Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Septic Patients
Authors: Long Yunxiang , Tong Yingmu , Miao Runchen , Fan Rong , Cao Xiangqi , Wang Jie , Sun Jingjing , Day John D. , Liu Chang , Li Guoliang 
Published: September 2021

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and coagulation disorder, two common complications of sepsis, are associated with the mortality. However, the relationship between early coagulation disorder and AF in sepsis remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the interaction between AF and early coagulation disorder on mortality.Methods: In this retrospective study, all data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database. Septic patients with coagulation tests during the first 24 h after admission to intensive care units (ICUs) meeting study criteria were included in the analysis. Early coagulation disorder is defined by abnormalities in platelet count (PLT), international normalized ratio (INR) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) within the first 24 h after admission, whose score was defined with reference to sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) and coagulopathy. Patients meeting study criteria were divided into AF and non-AF groups.Results: In total, 7,528 septic patients were enrolled, including 1,243 (16.51%) with AF and 5,112 (67.91%) with early coagulation disorder. Compared with patients in the non-AF group, patients in the AF group had higher levels of INR and APTT (P &lt; 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that stroke, early coagulation disorder, age, gender, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic pulmonary disease, renal failure, and chronic liver disease were independent risk factors for AF. In addition, AF was related to in-hospital mortality and 90-day mortality. In the subgroup analysis stratified by the scores of early coagulation disorder, AF was associated with an increased risk of 90-day mortality when the scores of early coagulation disorder were 1 or 2 and 3 or 4.Conclusion: In sepsis, coagulation disorder within the first 24 h after admission to the ICUs is an independent risk factor for AF. The effect of AF on 90-day mortality varies with the severity of early coagulation disorder.
Reduced Microvascular Blood Volume as a Driver of Coronary Microvascular Disease in Patients With Non-obstructive Coronary Artery Disease: Rationale and Design of the MICORDIS Study
Authors: Vink Caitlin E. M. , van de Hoef Tim P. , Götte M. J. W. , Eringa E. C. , Appelman Yolande 
Published: September 2021

Background: Ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA) is part of the ischemic heart disease spectrum, and is particularly observed in women. INOCA has various mechanisms, such as coronary vasospasm and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). A decreased coronary flow reserve (CFR) and-or increased myocardial resistance (MR) are commonly used to diagnose CMD. However, CFR and MR do not describe all pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CMD. Increased myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) normally increases myocardial blood volume (MBV), independently from myocardial blood flow (MBF). In addition insulin enhances MBV in healthy skeletal muscle, and this effect is impaired in INOCA-related conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Therefore, we propose that MBV is reduced in INOCA patients.Aim: To assess whether myocardial blood volume (MBV) is decreased in INOCA patients, at baseline, during hyperinsulinemia and during stress.Design: The MICORDIS-study is a single-center observational cross-sectional cohort study (identifier NTR7515). The primary outcome is MBV, compared between INOCA patients and matched healthy controls. The patient group will undergo coronary function testing using a Doppler guidewire, intracoronary adenosine and acetylcholine to measure CFR and coronary vasospasm. Both the patient- and the control group will undergo myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) to determine MBV at baseline, during hyperinsulinemia and during stress. Subsequently, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) will be evaluated as a new and noninvasive diagnostic tool for CMD in INOCA patients. Microvascular endothelial function is a determinant of MBV and will be evaluated by non-invasive microvascular function testing using EndoPAT and by measuring NO production in circulating endothelial cells (ECFCs).
A Mixed Methods Study of Self-Efficacy, the Sources of Self-Efficacy, and Teaching Experience
Authors: Gale Jessica , Alemdar Meltem , Cappelli Christopher , Morris David 
Published: September 2021

Although teaching self-efficacy is associated with many benefits for teachers and students, little is known about how teachers develop a sense of efficacy in the early years of their careers. Drawing on survey (N =179) and interview (N= 10) data, this study investigates the sources of self-efficacy in a national sample of teachers who participated in the Noyce program. All teachers completed an online survey that included both the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Instrument and open-ended items prompting them to reflect on the sources of their self-efficacy. Ten teachers participated in semi-structured follow-up interviews. Enactive mastery experiences were the most common source of self-efficacy identified by teachers, followed by social persuasions and vicarious experiences. Physiological and affective states were identified infrequently and more often related to negative experiences that lowered self-efficacy than to positive experiences. Beginning teachers identified more negative enactive experiences than either Novice (2–3 years experiences) or Career teachers. In interviews, teachers described how the sources combined or interacted to influence their self-efficacy. Findings contribute to better understandings of the sources of self-efficacy with implications for how best to support teachers at different stages of their careers.
A Chinese Case of Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Caused by a Pathogenic Variant in SMC3 and a Literature Review
Authors: Li Ran , Tian Bowen , Liang Hanting , Chen Meiping , Yang Hongbo , Wang Linjie , Pan Hui , Zhu Huijuan 
Published: September 2021

PurposeCornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare congenital developmental disorder, and cases caused by variants in SMC3 are infrequent. This article describes a case of CdLS related to a pathogenic variant in SMC3 and performs a literature review.MethodsWe collected clinical data and biological samples from a 12-year-old boy with “short stature for 11 years”. Gene variants in the proband were detected by whole-exome sequencing, and the variants in his parents were verified by Sanger sequencing. All SMC3-related CdLS patients from the PubMed and Web of Science databases were collected and summarized using the available data.ResultsA pathogenic variant in SMC3 in the proband, c.1942A&gt;G, was identified. Neither of his parents carried the same variant. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with CdLS with variants in SMC3, including the cases in this study and those reported in the literature, where half of the variant types were missense, followed by 32% (9/28) with a deletion and 11% (3/28) with a duplication. All patients showed symptoms of verbal development delay and intellectual disability to different degrees, and 90% patients had long eyelashes while 89% patients had arched eyebrows.ConclusionThis study summarized different gene variants in SMC3 and the frequencies of the various clinical manifestations according to the reported literature. For CdLS caused by SMC3 variants, short stature and facial dysmorphic features are the two most important clinical clues. Definite diagnosis of this rare disease may be challenging clinically; thus, it is significant to use molecular diagnosis.
Umbilical Cord Blood Adiponectin, Leptin, Insulin, and Ghrelin in Premature Infants and Their Association With Birth Outcomes
Authors: Han Luyan , Li Bo , Xu Xiaojing , Liu Shufang , Li Zhenghong , Li Ming , Wang Danhua 
Published: September 2021

BackgroundPremature/low-birth-weight infants are at significant risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood, which may be related to the levels of fetal adipokine. Here, we investigated the differences in the levels of umbilical cord blood adiponectin, leptin, insulin, and ghrelin in preterm and term infants and sought to elucidate the link between these hormones and fetal growth. We also evaluated the interrelationship among these metabolic hormones in both groups of newborns.MethodsA total of 149 mother–infant pairs (100 in the preterm group and 49 in the term group) were enrolled in the study. The preterm group was further subdivided according to birth weight (≤1,500, 1,501–2,000, 2,001–2,500, and &gt;2,500 g), gestational age (&lt;34 vs. ≥34 weeks), and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) vs. small for gestational age (SGA). The general condition of the mothers and the growth parameters of the newborns at birth were recorded.ResultsThe levels of adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin were lower in the preterm group than those in the term group (p &lt; 0.05). In the preterm group, the leptin levels of infants with gestational age ≥34 weeks were significantly higher than those of infants with gestational age &lt;34 weeks (mean ln leptin = 0.63 vs. 0.36 ng/ml, p = 0.009). The levels of adiponectin were lower in the SGA group than those in the AGA group (mean ln adiponectin = 2.26 vs. 2.84 µg/ml, p = 0.001), whereas those of ghrelin displayed the opposite trend (mean ln ghrelin = 6.29 vs. 5.71 pg/ml, p &lt; 0.001). Leptin was significantly correlated with insulin both in preterm infants with birth weight (BW) &gt;2,000 g and in term infants. Umbilical cord blood leptin was positively correlated with the BW, birth length, and head circumference of newborns (r = 0.460, 0.311, and 0.310, respectively, all p &lt; 0.05), whereas ghrelin was negatively correlated with the same parameters (r = −0.372, −0.415, and −0.373, respectively, all p &gt; 0.05).ConclusionsThe lack of maturation of adipose tissue and the gastrointestinal tract by the fetus due to prematurity is associated with changes in the levels of cord blood adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin. The dysregulation of these hormones in preterm infants may be a risk factor for fetal growth and future metabolic diseases.
An Experimental and Comparative Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric System
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal , Khan Muhammad Irfan , Kazim Ali Hussain , Shabir Aqsa , Riaz Fahid , Mustafa Nauman , Javed Hassan , Raza Ali , Hussain Mohsin , Salman Chaudhary Awais 
Published: September 2021

The majority of incident solar irradiance causes thermalization in photovoltaic (PV) cells, attenuating their efficiency. In order to use solar energy on a large scale and reduce carbon emissions, their efficiency must be enhanced. Effective thermal management can be utilized to generate additional electrical power while simultaneously improving photovoltaic efficiency. In this work, an experimental model of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermoelectric generation (PV-TEG) system is developed. Ten bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric modules are attached to the rear side of a 10 W polycrystalline silicon-based photovoltaic module in order to recover and transform waste thermal energy to usable electrical energy, ultimately cooling the PV cells. The experiment was then carried out for 10 days in Lahore, Pakistan, on both a simple PV module and a hybrid PV-TEG system. The findings revealed that a hybrid system has boosted PV module output power and conversion efficiency. The operating temperature of the PV module in the hybrid system is reduced by 5.5%, from 55°C to 52°C. Due to a drop in temperature and the addition of some recovered energy by thermoelectric modules, the total output power and conversion efficiency of the system increased. The hybrid system’s cumulative output power increased by 19% from 8.78 to 10.84 W, compared to the simple PV system. Also, the efficiency of the hybrid PV-TEG system increased from 11.6 to 14%, which is an increase of 17% overall. The results of this research could provide consideration for designing commercial hybrid PV-TEG systems.
Additive Manufacturing and Injection Moulding of High-Performance IF-WS2/PEEK Nanocomposites: A Comparative Study
Authors: Golbang Atefeh , Mokhtari Mozaffar , Harkin-Jones Eileen , Archer Edward , Mcilhagger Alistair 
Published: September 2021

In this study, PEEK nanocomposites with 0, 0.5, 1, and 2wt% IF-WS2 were manufactured by injection moulding and Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). To compare the impact of the two processing methods and the incorporated nanoparticles on the morphology, crystallization and final mechanical properties of the nanocomposites, SEM, DSC and tensile testing were performed. In general, a good distribution of nanoparticles was observed in PEEK, although larger agglomerates were visible at 2 wt% IF-WS2. The crystallization degree of PEEK increased with increasing loading of IF-WS2 nanoparticles up to 1wt% and then declined at 2 wt%, due to lower level of particle dispersion in this sample. The 3D printed samples showed slightly higher crystallinity at each IF-WS2 loading in relation to the injection moulded samples and extruded filaments, because of multiple reheating effect from subsequent layer deposition during FDM, causing recrystallization. In general, incorporation of IF-WS2 nanoparticles increased the mechanical properties of pure PEEK in both 3D printed and injection moulded samples. However, this increment was more noticeable in the 3D-printed nanocomposite samples, resulting in smaller gap between the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed samples and the injection moulded counterparts, in respect to pure PEEK, particularly at 1 wt% IF-WS2. This effect is ascribed to the increased inter-layer bonding of PEEK in the presence of IF-WS2 nanoparticles in FDM. In general, the lower mechanical properties of the 3D printed samples compared with the injection moulded ones are ascribed to poor interlayer bonding between the deposited layers and the presence of voids. However, addition of just 1 wt% of IF-WS2 nanoparticles into PEEK increased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the FDM PEEK materials to similar levels to those achieved for unfilled injection moulded PEEK. Therefore, incorporation of IF-WS2 nanoparticles into PEEK is a useful strategy to improve the mechanical performance of FDM PEEK.
Clinical, Pathological, Laboratory Characteristics, and Treatment Regimens of Kimura Disease and Their Relationships With Tumor Size and Recurrence
Authors: Fan Lina , Mo Shiyan , Wang Yanyan , Zhu Jian 
Published: September 2021

Objective: As of date, Kimura disease (KD) has an unclear etiology, no accepted diagnostic standard, and no definite treatment regimen. In this study, clinical and pathological laboratory characteristics and treatment regimens of patients with KD with different tumor sizes and status of tumor recurrence were analyzed. This was performed to identify the factors, which determine tumor size and recurrence, and to identify effective treatment methods for patients with KD.Methods: A total of 33 hospitalized patients with a definite diagnosis of KD were enrolled in this study.Results: There were 15 patients (45.5%) with a maximum tumor diameter of &lt;3 cm. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, clinical symptoms, lesion sites, laboratory indicators, and treatment regimens among patients with a maximum tumor diameter &lt;3 cm or ≥3 cm (P &gt; 0.05). Among the 25 patients who completed the follow-up, there were 18 patients (72%) who had a recurrence of KD. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, clinical symptoms, the maximum tumor diameter, lesion sites, laboratory indicators, and initial treatment regimens between patients with or without the recurrence of KD (P &gt; 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) between patients with or without the recurrence of KD (P &lt; 0.05). All patients who received only surgical treatment had disease recurrence, 33.3% of patients who received prednisone therapy had no disease recurrence, and 37.5% of patients who received combination therapy showed recurrence.Conclusion: The current study summarized clinical manifestations, pathological features, laboratory indicators, and treatment regimens of patients with KD. There were no significant differences in these aspects among patients with different tumor sizes, and there was no significant difference in these aspects except in the SBP between patients with or without the recurrence of KD, indicating that SBP is a significant clinical factor affecting disease recurrence in patients. Combination therapy with prednisone was found to be superior to surgical treatment.
Enterocytozoon Bieneusi Infects Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Undergoing Immunosuppressive Treatment
Authors: Zajączkowska Żaneta , Akutko Katarzyna , Kváč Martin , Sak Bohumil , Szydłowicz Magdalena , Hendrich Andrzej B. , Iwańczak Barbara , Kicia Marta 
Published: September 2021

Objectives: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are susceptible to intestinal opportunistic infections due to both defective mucosal immunity and altered immune response resulting from immunosuppressive treatment. Microsporidia infecting the gastrointestinal tract and causing diarrhoea can potentially affect the course of IBD.Methods: Stool samples (90 IBD children and 121 healthy age-matched controls) were screened for Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi by microscopy and polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing.Results:E. bieneusi genotype D was found in seven out of 90 (7.8%) IBD children. No children from the control group were infected, making the pathogen prevalence in the IBD group significant (P = 0.002). Furthermore, infection was confirmed only in patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment (P = 0.013).Conclusions: Children with IBD are at risk of intestinal E. bieneusi infection, especially when receiving immunosuppressive treatment. Therefore, microsporidia should be considered as a significant infectious agent in this group of patients.