bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Motor, sensitive, and vegetative recovery in rats with compressive spinal-cord injury after combined treatment with erythropoietin and whole-body vibration
Authors: Rink Svenja , Manthou Maria Eleni , Arnold Julia , Grigo Merle , Dicken Paulina , Abdulla Diana Saad Yousif , Bendella Habib , Nohroudi Klaus , Angelov Doychin N. 
Published: February 2021

Background: Physical therapy with whole body vibration (WBV) following compressive spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats restores density of perisomatic synapses, improves body weight support and leads to a better bladder function. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the combined treatment with WBV plus erythropoietin (EPO) would further improve motor, sensory and vegetative functions after SCI in rats. Methods: Severe compressive SCI at low thoracic level was followed by a single i.p. injection of 2,5 μg (250 IU) human recombinant EPO. Physical therapy with WBV started on 14th day after injury and continued over a 12-week post injury period. Locomotor recovery, sensitivity tests and urinary bladder scores were analysed at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 weeks after SCI. The closing morphological measurements included lesion volume and numbers of axons in the preserved perilesional neural tissue bridges (PNTB). Results: Assessment of motor performance sensitivity and bladder function revealed no significant effects of EPO when compared to the control treatments. EPO treatment neither reduced the lesion volume, nor increased the number of axons in PNTB. Conclusions: The combination of WBV + EPO exerts no positive effects on hind limbs motor performance and bladder function after compressive SCI in rats.
Pengaruh Motivasi dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Produktivitas Karyawan Pada PT Capital Life Indonesia di Jakarta
Authors: Sukardi Sukardi 
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh motivasi dan disiplin kerja terhadap produktivitas karyawan pada PT. Capital Life Indonesia di Jakarta. Suatu organisasi dapat berjalan efektif apabila fungsi-fungsi manajemen seperti perencanaan (planning), pengorganisasian (organizing), pengarahan (actuating) dan pengendalian (controlling) apabila semua itu berfungsi dengan baik, serta unsur-unsur penunjangnya tersedia dan memenuhi persyaratan. Metode yang digunakan adalah explanatory research dengan teknik analisis menggunakan analisis statistik dengan pengujian regresi, korelasi, determinasi dan uji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian ini motivasi berpengaruh signifikan terhadap produktivitas karyawan sebesar 47,3%, uji hipotesis diperoleh t hitung > t tabel atau (7,634 > 1,997). Disiplin kerja berpengaruh signifikan terhadap produktivitas karyawan sebesar 47,0%, uji hipotesis diperoleh t hitung > t tabel atau (7,585 > 1,997). Motivasi dan disiplin kerja secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap produktivitas karyawan dengan persamaan regresi Y = 7,590 + 0,388X1 + 0,440X2. Kontribusi pengaruh sebesar 64,3%, uji hipotesis diperoleh F hitung > F tabel atau (57,677 > 2,750).
Pengaruh Harga dan Lokasi Terhadap Keputusan Pembelian Pada Alfamart Cabang Cipondoh
Authors: Noviyanti Iis , Sunarsi Denok , Wijoyo Hadion 
Published: February 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh harga dan lokasi terhadap keputusan pembelian pada Alfamart Cabang Cipondoh. Metode yang digunakan adalah explanatory research dengan teknik analisis menggunakan analisis statistik dengan pengujian regresi, korelasi, determinasi dan uji hipotesis. Hasil penelitian ini harga berpengaruh signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian sebesar 41,4%, uji hipotesis diperoleh t hitung > t tabel atau (8,149 > 1,986). Lokasi berpengaruh signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian sebesar 37,4%, uji hipotesis diperoleh t hitung > t tabel atau (7,496 > 1,986). Harga dan lokasi secara simultan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap keputusan pembelian sebesar 49,2%, uji hipotesis diperoleh F hitung > F tabel atau (45,080 > 2,700).
Psychological impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Pakistani doctors
Authors: Aslam Wardah , Habib Maryam , Habib Madiha , Aziz Saeeda 
Published: February 2021

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant burden on healthcare system and adversely affected the health care professionals all over the world including Pakistan. Therefore, the short- and long-term effects of this pandemic on mental health of Pakistani medical doctors need to be established.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the mental health status and associated factors among doctors exposed to COVID-19 in Pakistan.
Methodology: An online survey was carried among doctors working in different government hospitals. A Questionnaire was developed which comprised of three different sections. Mental health was assessed on basis of scoring in three Likert scales including Generalized anxiety disorder -7 scale (GAD-7), Insomnia severity index (ISI-7) and Patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9). Cluster analysis was used, and chi-square test was applied for comparison of characteristics.
Results: Study was conducted on 73 specialists /consultants working in different government hospitals of the country. 54.8% of them suffered from subthreshold mental disturbances while 23.3% had mild disorders, 12.3% had moderate disorders and 9.6% suffered from severe mental disturbances. Various factors having significant relationship with psychological status of doctors were identified.
Conclusion: COVID-19 outbreak has significantly affected the psychological health of Pakistani doctors. The factors adversely affecting the mental health of our health care professionals need to be addressed by providing psychological support to them.
COVID-19 raises threatening scenario for otorhinolaryngology and rehabilitation
Authors: Mumtaz Nazia , Saqulain Ghulam 
Published: February 2021

This editorial is an introspection into healthcare systems in the perspective of the ongoing short and long term impact of COVID-19 on practice of otolaryngology & its allied specialties and possible solutions. With COVID-19 testing the mettle, resilience and strength of every facet of healthcare system, including developing countries with otolaryngologists and allied professionals being more exposed, threatened with contracting disease themselves and carrying it to their families. Personal protection has become a norm with specialty faced with suspension of non-emergent consultations, examinations and electives with use of personal protective equipment mandatory even in emergent cases.
A Phenomenological Study on Chinese College Students’ Experiences in Developing Intercultural Competence
Authors: Li Li 
Published: February 2021

This research will be a phenomenological study about Chinese private university students’ domestic learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) experiences and overseas study abroad experiences in developing intercultural competence (IC). The study will be conducted for two phases, i.e. the first phase in China and the second phase in the United Sates. This paper consists of two parts. The first part introduces the research topic and purpose, research significance, and research questions. The second part discusses the research methodology and methods at the proposal stage.
Expanding use of the English language for research and its Implications for Higher Education Institutions and Researchers
Authors: Yallew Addisalem Tebikew 
Published: February 2021

The knowledge era or the knowledge society has made universities one of the central institutions for the production of new knowledge and scholarship. In line with this development, many African universities, that were often regarded as teaching-learning laden, are reorienting their mission and vision embracing research intensiveness as one of their aspirations with the goal of becoming globally or regionally competitive and locally relevant. This qualitiative research focusing on the use of the English language for research in selected African flagship universities in Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa is conducted against a backdrop where questions related to research productivity are becoming more central not only to higher education institutions but to higher educational research pertaining to the continent. Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of capital, field, and habitus in general and specifically that of linguistic capital as an aspect of cultural capital are used to inform the conceptualization and the analysis of the research. To explore issues pertaining to the interlinked concepts of language and (de)colonization in research, postcolonial perspectives on language and education are used to guide the study. The study is expected to contribute to our understanding of (English) language and research in African higher education.
Work-Integrated Learning for Mining Engineering Training and the Employability Nexus in Traditional Research Universities
Authors: Dipitso Paul 
Published: February 2021

Globally, employability is increasingly becoming an issue of concern in higher education due to demands from the labour market requiring work-ready graduates. In the Global South, particularly South Africa, universities are on a quest to develop competence and improve student employability. This paper is set to investigate the impact of work-integrated learning on employability for mining engineering undergraduates in South Africa. The research data were collected using the mixed methods approach and a case study design. Experiential learning was used to examine the impact of work-integrated learning on the employability of mining engineering students. The findings provide a description of perspectives for mining engineers, lecturers, and workplace supervisors concerning the enhancement of employability for mining engineering students. The findings revealed that professional associations play a crucial role in the development of professional skills. This article argues for strong partnerships with industry partners to nurture the employability of mining engineering students.
COVID-19 Crisis and Faculty Members in Higher Education: From Emergency Remote Teaching to Better Teaching through Reflection
Authors: Hodges Chuck , Fowler Denver 
Published: February 2021

This short essay highlights how the COVID-19 crisis forced many faculty members in the higher education setting to abruptly transition from face-to-face and hybrid instruction to remote teaching. We highlight how emergency remote teaching can lead to overall improved instruction (regardless of future course modality) and better preparedness (for future crises) through an asserted effort to reflect on the experience as a whole.
Demographic and Metacognitive Variations among Female University Students in the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Al-Hilawani Yasser A 
Published: February 2021

This study examined the presence of significant associations among demographics (i.e., monthly income and the number of family members) and metacognition (i.e., understanding pictures representing real-life situations and objects) between two groups (N = 112) of female university students with and without niqab (i.e., only the eyes were visible). It also explored if there were significant differences between the two groups in metacognition. Participants responded to a computerized metacognitive instrument. Correlation results revealed that the females who wore niqab were significantly and more likely to have more family members and less income when compared with the females without niqab. ANOVA analysis showed no significant differences between the students with and without niqab on the metacognitive test, in reaction time (i.e.,duration in seconds), and on the metacognitive test scores divided by the mean of the reaction times. Implications and limitations are discussed.
A Call to Action: Lessons Learned from a Book Club about Supporting and Mentoring Underrepresented STEM Students
Authors: Ramsay-Jordan Natasha N. , Jett Christopher C. 
Published: February 2021

The participation rates of historically underserved students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) remains an important concern, as inequitable access in the form of treatment and opportunities within the education system is a constant struggle. To unpack this issue, a book club was organized as an intervention at a university in the southeastern part of the United States. Findings from the book club intervention suggest that university faculty should (a) understand the importance of continuous early exposure to STEM, (b) nurture underrepresented students’ STEM identities, (c) form collaborations and partnerships with STEM professionals from underrepresented groups, and (d) commit to mentoring STEM underrepresented students. In this article, we argue that these objectives can be accomplished through the exposure to STEM professionals from underrepresented groups and the integration of STEM research in undergraduate coursework. Finally, we share the lessons we learned with respect to how the book served as our call to action in our professorial duties.
Genotype-Phenotype Analysis and Mutation Spectrum in a Cohort of Chinese Patients With Congenital Nystagmus
Authors: Wang Xiao-Fang , Chen Hui , Huang Peng-Juan , Feng Zhuo-Kun , Hua Zi-Qi , Feng Xiang , Han Fang , Xu Xiao-Tao , Shen Ren-Juan , Li Yang , Jin Zi-Bing , Yu Huan-Yun 
Published: February 2021

Purpose: Congenital nystagmus (CN) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous ocular disorder that manifests as involuntary, periodic oscillations of the eyes. To date, only FRMD7 and GPR143 have been reported to be responsible for causing CN. Here, we aimed to identify the disease-causing mutations and describe the clinical features in the affected members in our study.Methods: All the subjects underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. Direct sequencing of all coding exons and splice site regions in FRMD7 and GPR143 and a mutation assessment were performed in each patient.Results: We found 14 mutations in 14/37 (37.8%) probands, including nine mutations in the FRMD7 gene and five mutations in the GPR143 gene, seven of which are novel, including c.284G&gt;A(R95K), c.964C&gt;T(P322S), c.284+10T&gt;G, c.901T&gt;C (Y301H), and c.2014_2023delTCACCCATGG(S672Pfs*12) in FRMD7, and c.250+1G&gt;C, and c.485G&gt;A (W162*) in GPR143. The mutation detection rate was 87.5% (7/8) of familial vs. 24.1% (7/29) of sporadic cases. Ten mutations in 24 (41.7%) non-syndromic subjects and 4 mutations in 13(30.8%) syndromic subjects were detected. A total of 77.8% (7/9) of mutations in FRMD7 were concentrated within the FERM and FA domains, while all mutations in GPR143 were located in exons 1, 2, 4 and 6. We observed that visual acuity tended to be worse in the GPR143 group than in the FRMD7 group, and no obvious difference in other clinical manifestations was found through comparisons in different groups of patients.Conclusions: This study identified 14 mutations (seven novel and seven known) in eight familial and 29 sporadic patients with congenital nystagmus, expanding the mutational spectrum and validating FRMD7 and GPR143 as mutation hotspots. These findings also revealed a significant difference in the screening rate between different groups of participants, providing new insights for the strategy of genetic screening and early clinical diagnosis of CN.
Identification of a Potentially Functional microRNA–mRNA Regulatory Network in Lung Adenocarcinoma Using a Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Wang Xiao-Jun , Gao Jing , Wang Zhuo , Yu Qin 
Published: February 2021

BackgroundLung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a common lung cancer with a high mortality, for which microRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in its regulation. Multiple messenger RNAs (mRNAs) may be regulated by miRNAs, involved in LUAD tumorigenesis and progression. However, the miRNA–mRNA regulatory network involved in LUAD has not been fully elucidated.MethodsDifferentially expressed miRNAs and mRNA were derived from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset in tissue samples and from our microarray data in plasma (GSE151963). Then, common differentially expressed (Co-DE) miRNAs were obtained through intersected analyses between the above two datasets. An overlap was applied to confirm the Co-DEmRNAs identified both in targeted mRNAs and DEmRNAs in TCGA. A miRNA–mRNA regulatory network was constructed using Cytoscape. The top five miRNA were identified as hub miRNA by degrees in the network. The functions and signaling pathways associated with the hub miRNA-targeted genes were revealed through Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway. The key mRNAs in the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were identified using the STRING database and CytoHubba. Survival analyses were performed using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA).ResultsThe miRNA–mRNA regulatory network consists of 19 Co-DEmiRNAs and 760 Co-DEmRNAs. The five miRNAs (miR-539-5p, miR-656-3p, miR-2110, let-7b-5p, and miR-92b-3p) in the network were identified as hub miRNAs by degrees (&gt;100). The 677 Co-DEmRNAs were targeted mRNAs from the five hub miRNAs, showing the roles in the functional analyses of the GO analysis and KEGG pathways (inclusion criteria: 836 and 48, respectively). The PPI network and Cytoscape analyses revealed that the top ten key mRNAs were NOTCH1, MMP2, IGF1, KDR, SPP1, FLT1, HGF, TEK, ANGPT1, and PDGFB. SPP1 and HGF emerged as hub genes through survival analysis. A high SPP1 expression indicated a poor survival, whereas HGF positively associated with survival outcomes in LUAD.ConclusionThis study investigated a miRNA–mRNA regulatory network associated with LUAD, exploring the hub miRNAs and potential functions of mRNA in the network. These findings contribute to identify new prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for LUAD patients in clinical settings.
Potential Deployment of Reversible Solid-Oxide Cell Systems to Valorise Organic Waste, Balance the Power Grid and Produce Renewable Methane: A Case Study in the Southern Italian Peninsula
Authors: Carbone Claudio , Gracceva Francesco , Pierro Nicola , Motola Vincenzo , Zong Yi , You Shi , Pérez-Fortes Mar , Wang Ligang , Agostini Alessandro 
Published: February 2021

The large market penetration of non-dispatchable renewable power sources (vRES), i.e., wind and photovoltaic, may be hampered by an increasing need for large scale energy storage capacity and the challenges of balancing the power grid. Novel technologies integrating waste gasification with reversible Solid-Oxide Cell systems have been proposed to provide flexible grid balancing services. The rSOC system operated in electrolysis mode uses excess power from vRES to generate hydrogen (H2), which is combined with syngas derived from waste gasification to produce methane (CH4). The rSOC system can also be operated in fuel cell mode by oxidising syngas to produce electricity. This paper presents a well-defined case study which aimed to estimate the potential deployment of a novel rSOC technology in a future power system dominated by intermittent renewables. The hourly power grid residual loads (i.e., the difference between load and vRES power generation) and the availability of low-grade organic waste and residues are quantified and matched for the southern Italian peninsula in 2030. The results show that the theoretical grid flexibility needs approximately 10 TW h of overproduction and 5 TW h of underproduction in 2030 to ensure the complete disposal of the municipal organic waste generated in 2030 (6.7 Mt) and that production of renewable CH4 will need to be 1.4–2.4 Mt, pointing to an intriguing perspective for the deployment of rSOC systems at a large scale. The multifunctionality of the system proposed is an added value that can make it a convenient and efficient piece of the puzzle of technologies required in a climate-neutral and circular economy. The results and methods here presented are intended to form the basis for estimations of future potential deployment and economic and environmental assessments of competing technologies.
An Automated Method for Mapping Giant Kelp Canopy Dynamics from UAV
Authors: Cavanaugh Katherine C. , Cavanaugh Kyle C. , Bell Tom W. , Hockridge Evan G. 
Published: February 2021

Satellite and aerial imagery have been used extensively for mapping the abundance and distribution of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) in southern California. There is now great potential for using unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) to map kelp canopy at very high resolutions. However, tides and currents have been shown to affect the amount of floating kelp canopy on the water surface, and the impacts of these processes on remotely sensed kelp estimates in this region have not been fully quantified. UAVs were used to map fine-scale changes in canopy area due to tidal height and current speed at kelp forests off the coast of Palos Verdes, CA and Santa Barbara, CA. An automated method for detecting kelp canopy was developed that was 67% accurate using red-green-blue (RGB) UAV imagery and 93% accurate using multispectral UAV imagery across a range of weather, ocean, and illumination conditions. Increases in tidal height of 1 m reduced the amount of floating kelp canopy by 15% in Santa Barbara and by over 30% in Palos Verdes. The effect of current speed on visible kelp canopy was inconclusive, but there was a trend towards lower canopy area with increased current speed. Therefore, while tidal height and current speed can introduce significant variability to estimates of kelp abundance, the magnitude of this variability is site specific. Still, UAVs are a valuable tool for mapping of kelp canopy and can provide greater spatial resolution and temporal coverage than is possible from many satellite sensors. This data can provide insight into the patterns and drivers of high frequency fluctuations in kelp abundance.
Serum Metabolomics Signatures Associated With Ankylosing Spondylitis and TNF Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Ou Jiayong , Xiao Min , Huang Yefei , Tu Liudan , Chen Zena , Cao Shuangyan , Wei Qiujing , Gu Jieruo 
Published: February 2021

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of spondyloarthropathies, the diagnosis of which is often delayed. The lack of early diagnosis tools often delays the institution of appropriate therapy. This study aimed to investigate the systemic metabolic shifts associated with AS and TNF inhibitors treatment. Additionally, we aimed to define reliable serum biomarkers for the diagnosis. We employed an untargeted technique, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS), to analyze the serum metabolome of 32 AS individuals before and after 24-week TNF inhibitors treatment, as well as 40 health controls (HCs). Multivariate and univariate statistical analyses were used to profile the differential metabolites associated with AS and TNF inhibitors. A diagnostic panel was established with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). The pathway analysis was also conducted. A total of 55 significantly differential metabolites were detected. We generated a diagnostic panel comprising five metabolites (L-glutamate, arachidonic acid, L-phenylalanine, PC (18:1(9Z)/18:1(9Z)), 1-palmitoylglycerol), capable of distinguishing HCs from AS with a high AUC of 0.998, (95%CI: 0.992–1.000). TNF inhibitors treatment could restore the equilibrium of 21 metabolites. The most involved pathways in AS were amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis, glutaminolysis, fatty acids biosynthesis and choline metabolism. This study characterized the serum metabolomics signatures of AS and TNF inhibitor therapy. We developed a five-metabolites-based panel serving as a diagnostic tool to separate patients from HCs. This serum metabolomics study yielded new knowledge about the AS pathogenesis and the systemic effects of TNF inhibitors.