bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the factor structure of quality of technical education: evidence from Punjab state of India
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Choudhary Pooja , Ahmad Anees , Swain Swapnarag , Singh Pankaj Kumar 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the quality of technical education in a developing nation, India.Design/methodology/approachParticipants were 465 students and 310 faculty members who were randomly chosen from a total of 31 institutions/colleges/universities providing engineering education in Punjab state of India. The factor structures were obtained by applying factor analysis.FindingsThe result of this research reveals ten factors determining the quality of technical education, such as teaching practices, infrastructural facilities, industry–institute linkage, faculty's qualification, reputation of the institute, procedural simplification, administrative staff services, access and equity, financial burden of the course and work culture. Moreover, the research results also reveal eight factors affecting the quality of technical education, namely, institutional standards, institutional support, teaching environment, teaching practices, performance-linked promotion, work culture, academic freedom and administrative services in this order of preference are essential for the delivery of quality in technical education.Originality/valueThis study is the first attempt to examine the factor structure of technical education quality from both the perspectives of students and faculty. The implications of this study are expected to help the management of technical education institutes, regulatory agencies and the government in devising strategies to enhance the quality of technical education in India.
Mitigating the effects of COVID-19: an exploratory case study of the countermeasures taken by the manufacturing industry
Authors: Butt Atif Saleem 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand how manufacturers (both discrete and process) are managing disruptions amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, using UAE as an empirical context.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses a multiple case study approach and undertakes 36 semi-structured interviews with senior management of four discrete and four process manufacturing firms that outsource products/components from overseas and domestic suppliers.FindingsResults reveal that manufacturing firms are using six distinct actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, they are relying on the automation process, transferring new and updated knowledge to the current and new suppliers, managing workforce diversity, understanding the impact of demand’s disruption, managing the ecosystem and finally using digital technologies to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has some limitations. Firstly, the results of this study cannot be generalized to a broader population as it attempts to build an initial theory in manufacturing supply chains within the context of a pandemic outbreak. Second, the study uses a cross-sectional approach to explore the actions used by manufacturing firms to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.Practical implicationsManufacturing firms can replicate the actions proposed in this study to lessen the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge stronger in the post-COVID-era.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the manufacturing supply chain literature within the context of pandemic outbreaks by exploring the steps taken by manufacturing firms to minimize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, it explores such steps by considering both the discrete and process manufacturing industries within the United Arab Emirates.
Is Interference with a Corpse for Procreative Purposes a Criminal Offence?
Authors: Cherkassky Lisa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAn increasing number of court orders from grieving women seek the retrieval of sperm from their deceased husbands, fiancés or boyfriends for the purposes of procreation. The legality of the retrieval of gametes from a dead body is unclear in the United Kingdom, and other jurisdictions have similarly confusing jurisprudence on the matter. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 requires the informed consent of both gamete providers before fertility treatment can commence, rendering the act of electro‐ejaculation upon a dead body a pointless (and potentially sexual) violation. This article takes a unique look at the legality of posthumous gamete retrieval and its contradiction to our shared respect for the dead. It suggests that when carried out upon a dead body without a lawful excuse, electro‐ejaculation may offend public morality and could constitute a criminal offence of ‘sexual penetration of a corpse’ under section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Covid‐19 vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy: rate of vaccination and maternal and neonatal outcomes, a multicentre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rottenstreich M , Sela HY , Rotem R , Kadish E , Wiener‐Well Y , Grisaru‐Granovsky S 
Published: September 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of Covid‐19 vaccination (Pfizer–BioNTech BNT162b2) during the third trimester of pregnancy on maternal and neonatal outcomes.DesignA multicentre, retrospective computerised database.PopulationWomen who gave birth at >24 weeks of gestation in Israel, between January and April 2021, with full records of Covid‐19 disease and vaccination status.MethodsWomen who received two doses of the vaccine were compared with unvaccinated women. Women who were recorded as having disease or a positive Covid‐19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab during pregnancy or delivery were excluded from both study groups. Univariate analysis was followed by multivariate logistic regression.Main outcome measuresComposite adverse maternal outcomes. Secondary outcomes were vaccination rate and composite adverse neonatal outcomes.ResultsThe overall uptake of one or both vaccines was 40.2%; 712 women who received two doses of the Covid‐19 vaccine were compared with 1063 unvaccinated women. Maternal composite outcomes were comparable between the groups; however, women who received the vaccine had higher rates of elective caesarean deliveries (CDs) and lower rates of vacuum deliveries. An adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that Covid‐19 vaccination was not associated with maternal composite adverse outcome (aOR 0.8, 95% CI 0.61–1.03); a significant reduction in the risk for neonatal composite adverse outcomes was observed (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.36–0.74).ConclusionsIn a motivated population covered by a National Health Insurance Plan, we found a 40.2% rate of vaccination for the Covid‐19 vaccine during the third trimester of pregnancy, which was not associated with adverse maternal outcomes and, moreover, decreased the risk for neonatal adverse outcomes.Tweetable abstractCovid‐19 vaccine during pregnancy is safe for both mother and fetus.
Field succession studies and casework can help to identify forensically useful Diptera
Authors: Dawson Blake M. , Barton Philip S. , Wallman James F. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFly development rates, and to a lesser extent succession data, can be used to provide an estimate of a minimum postmortem interval (mPMI). Yet, these data are most useful when a full account of species’ ecology, seasonality, and distribution is known. We conducted succession experiments on human cadavers over different seasons near Sydney, Australia, to document forensically useful information, including the pre‐appearance interval for carrion flies. We also compiled a detailed record of flies identified in casework collected in 156 cases distributed across New South Wales, Australia. We then compared the occurrence of fly species from both field and casework datasets to identify any consistencies or gaps to determine how useful species might be for forensic investigations. In the field experiments, we found differences in species diversity and abundance between seasons, as well as yearly variation between two winter seasons. Most fly species we recorded ovipositing showed a 2‐ or 3‐day delay between adult arrival and oviposition in summer, with a longer delay in winter. Species that were previously encountered in casework, such as Calliphora augur (Fabricius, 1775) and Calliphora ochracea Schiner, 1868, were confirmed as forensically useful, with their colonization behavior and seasonal preferences documented here. Although not encountered in casework, we confirmed Hemipyrellia fergusoni Patton, 1925 as a primary colonizer of human cadavers. Our study emphasizes the need to link field and casework data for a complete understanding of all aspects of a carrion fly's ecology to assist forensic investigators in mPMI estimations.
The prognostic value of emergency department measured hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Reynard Charles , van den Berg Patricia , Oliver Govind , Naguib Mina Peter , Sammut‐Powell Camilla , McMillan Brian , Heagerty Anthony , Body Richard 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe objective was to assess the prognostic value of hypertension detected in the emergency department (ED).MethodsThe ED presents a unique opportunity to predict long‐term cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes with its potential for high‐footfall, and large‐scale routine data collection applied to underserved patient populations. A systematic review and meta‐analyses were conducted to assess the prognostic performance and feasibility of ED‐measured hypertension as a risk factor for long‐term CVD outcomes. We searched MEDLINE and Embase databases and gray literature sources. The target populations were undifferentiated ED patients. The prognostic factor of interest was hypertension. Feasibility outcomes included prevalence, reliability, and follow‐up attendance. Meta‐analyses were performed for feasibility using a random effect and exact likelihood.ResultsThe searches identified 1072 studies after title and abstract review, 53 studies had their full text assessed for eligibility, and 26 studies were included. Significant heterogeneity was identified, likely due to the international populations and differing study design. The meta‐analyses estimate of prevalence for ED‐measured hypertension was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.25–0.37). ED hypertension was persistent outside the ED (FE estimate of 0.50). The proportion of patients attending follow‐up was low with an exact likelihood estimate of 0.41. Three studies examined the prognostic performance of hypertension and demonstrated an increased risk of long‐term CVD outcomes.ConclusionHypertension can be measured feasibly in the ED and consequently used in a long‐term cardiovascular risk prediction model. There is an opportunity to intervene in targeted individuals, using routinely collected data.
Oral cancer awareness in patients attending university dental clinics: A scoping review of Australian studies
Authors: Ramamurthy P , Sharma D , Thomson P 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis scoping review was carried out to evaluate the important role Australian university‐based dental teaching clinics and dental students might have in promoting oral cancer awareness in their patients. Four Online database (PubMed, OVID, Scopus and Emcare) were searched for studies that assessed oral cancer awareness amongst patients attending Australian university‐associated (teaching) clinics. A total of five articles were retrieved for full‐text analysis. All studies showed significant variation in patient awareness and understanding regarding the principal risk factors associated with oral cancer development. Smoking was predominantly identified as a significant risk factor, but alcohol consumption was less frequently recognized as relevant. Non‐healing ulceration was most commonly identified as a symptom of concern, whilst red and/or white mucosal patches were infrequently recognized as potentially malignant conditions. Our review confirms that a significant lack of patient awareness regarding oral cancer risk and the signs /symptoms of early malignancy or potentially malignant disease exist in patients attending dental teaching clinics. Important opportunities exist to involve dental students proactively in raising oral cancer awareness, delivering smoking cessation interventions and safe alcohol consumption advice to their patients. Incorporation of established health educational models might deliver effective support for such student‐delivered patient education.
A review of Australian tree fern ecology in forest communities
Authors: Donoghue Shavawn , Turner Perpetua A. M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAustralian forest ecosystems cover almost 16% of Australia’s landmass. As the seventh‐largest forested area worldwide, these forest ecosystems have largely evolved in the face of a changing climate and fire regime, drought and human land use practice. Australian tree ferns contribute to both the unique biodiversity of these forests and current forest product markets. We review the Australian tree fern literature including: the importance of tree ferns for other components of biodiversity; their response to disturbance such as fire and silviculture; and the management of tree ferns as a product for the horticultural market. Most studies focused on tree fern response to wildfire and clearfell burn and sow logging following management and horticultural industry changes. Survival and recruitment of tree ferns after a single fire/logging disturbance event found short‐lived negative impacts. Studies of tree ferns over time include research on growth, with non‐linear growth models found to best describe tree fern age; Cyathea australis grows 2.2 ‐ 4.0 times faster than Dicksonia antarctica on average. Tree ferns perform a keystone function through habitat for epiphytes at the local scale, but it is unknown if this has an impact on biodiversity at the landscape scale. Our review found few studies on survival and recruitment following drought; multiple disturbance events such as repeated logging; and silvicultural techniques other than clearfell burn and sow. No studies had investigated the response of tree ferns to changing climate, invasive species, changes in fire frequency or effect of megafire. We conclude with recommendations for key areas of research including, future impacts due to changing climate, synecology, influence on forests, the impact of silvicultural techniques and the influence of megafires on survival.
Effectiveness of source‐monitoring training in reducing halo error and negativity bias in a performance appraisal setting
Authors: Onal Irem G. , Kumkale G. Tarcan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe goal of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of a source‐monitoring procedure in reducing halo error and negativity bias in a performance appraisal setting. Participants watched videotaped performance segments of an instructor presumably taking place over a school year (N = 126). Then, participants in the source‐monitoring training condition received instructions teaching them how to differentiate memories that evoke detailed representations (remember judgments) from memories that evoke mere feelings of familiarity (know judgments). With this distinction in mind, participants in the training condition made significantly more accurate judgments than participants in the control condition. The training was successful in increasing the accuracy of performance ratings and reducing halo error and the negativity bias. Recognition memory measures showed that improvements were due to increased reliance on specific memory traces in the training condition. There was evidence of heuristic reliance on general impressions in the control condition.
Use of dipyridamole is associated with lower risk of lymphoid neoplasms: a propensity score‐matched cohort study
Authors: Huang Wuqing , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan , Ji Jianguang 
Published: September 2021

SummaryThe anti‐cancer potential of dipyridamole has been suggested from experiments, but evidence from population‐based studies is still lacking. We aimed to explore if dipyridamole use was related to a lower risk of lymphoid neoplasms. We identified individuals with prescription of aspirin after diagnosis of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease since 2006 by linking several Swedish registers. In these aspirin users, those with dipyridamole prescription were further identified as the study group and patients without dipyridamole were randomly selected as reference group with 1:1 ratio using a propensity score‐matching approach. After a median of 6·67 years of follow‐up, a total of 46 patients with dipyridamole use developed lymphoid neoplasms with an incidence rate of 0·49 per 1 000 person‐years, while the rate in the matched group was 0·74 per 1 000 person‐years. As compared to non‐users, dipyridamole users were associated with a significantly decreased risk of lymphoid neoplasms [hazard ratio (HR) = 0·65; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·43‐0·98]. Specifically, the reduced risk was observed for non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (HR = 0·64; 95% CI = 0·42‐0·94), especially B‐cell lymphomas (HR = 0·56; 95% CI = 0·35‐0·88). Dipyridamole use was related to a lower risk of lymphoid neoplasms, indicating a clinical potential of dipyridamole to be an adjunct anti‐tumour agent against lymphoid neoplasms.
Synthesis of new coumarin[1,3]oxazine derivatives of 7‐hydroxy‐6‐isobornyl‐4‐methylcoumarin and their antioxidant activity
Authors: Popova Svetlana A. , Shevchenko Oksana G. , Chukicheva Irina Yu. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this work, we synthesized a series of new 9,10‐dihydro‐2H,8H‐chromeno[8,7e][1,3]oxazine‐2‐on derivatives which incorporate isobornylcoumarin and 1,3‐oxazine moieties. A structure‐antioxidant activity relationship was analyzed. A comparative evaluation of their radical scavenging activity, antioxidant and membrane‐protective properties was carried out in test with DPPH, as well as on the models of Fe2+/ascorbate‐initiated lipid peroxidation and oxidative hemolysis of mammalian red blood cells. The results suggest that all the obtained coumarin[1,3]oxazine derivatives of 7‐hydroxy‐6‐isobornyl‐4‐methylcoumarin are capable of exhibiting antioxidant activity in various model systems. Compound 7 with a phenyl fragment, combining high radical scavenging activity and the ability to inhibit Fe2+/ascorbate‐initiated peroxidation of animal lipids in a heterogeneous environment, also proved to be the most effective membrane protector and antioxidant in the model of H2O2‐induced erythrocyte hemolysis.
Mapping the ghost: Estimating probabilistic snow leopard distribution across Mongolia
Authors: Bayandonoi Gantulga , Sharma Koustubh , Shanti Alexander Justine , Lkhagvajav Purevjav , Durbach Ian , Buyanaa Chimeddorj , Munkhtsog Bariushaa , Ochirjav Munkhtogtokh , Erdenebaatar Sergelen , Batkhuyag Bilguun , Battulga Nyamzav , Byambasuren Choidogjamts , Uudus Bayarsaikhan , Setev Shar , Davaa Lkhagvasuren , Agchbayar Khurel‐Erdene , Galsandorj Naranbaatar , MacKenzie Darryl 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAimSnow leopards are distributed across the mountains of 12 countries spread across 1.8 million km2in Central and South Asia. Previous efforts to map snow leopard distributions have relied on expert opinions and modelling of presence‐only data. Expert opinion is subjective and its reliability is difficult to assess, while analyses of presence‐only data have tended to ignore the imperfect detectability of this elusive species. The study was conducted to prepare the first ever probabilistic distribution map of snow leopards across Mongolia addressing the challenge of imperfect detection.LocationWe conducted sign‐based occupancy surveys across 1,017 grid‐cells covering 406,800 km2of Mongolia's potential snow leopard range.MethodsUsing a candidate model set of 31 ecologically meaningful models that used six site and seven sampling covariates, we estimate the probability of sites being used by snow leopards across the entire country.ResultsOccupancy probability increased with greater terrain ruggedness, with lower values of vegetation indices, with less forest cover, and were highest at intermediate altitudes. Detection probability was higher for segments walked on foot, and for those in more rugged terrain. Our results showed broad agreement with maps developed using expert opinion and presence‐only data but also highlighted important differences, for example in northern areas of Mongolia deemed largely unfavourable by previous expert opinion and presence‐only analyses.Main conclusionsThis study reports the first national‐level occupancy survey of snow leopards in Mongolia and highlights methodological opportunities that can be taken to scale and support national‐level conservation planning. Our assessments indicated that <12% of its entire land mass, and 42% of the potential snow leopard habitat in Mongolia has a high (>0.5) probability of being used by snow leopards. We emphasize the utility of occupancy modelling, which jointly models detection and site use, in achieving these goals.
Replacing insulin with immunotherapy: Time for a paradigm change in Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Tatovic Danijela , Dayan Colin M 
Published: September 2021

AbstractFor almost a hundred years, the management of Type 1 diabetes has not advanced beyond insulin replacement. However, insulin does not provide satisfactory glycaemic control in the majority of individuals and there remains a major unmet need for novel treatments for Type 1 diabetes. Immunomodulation to preserve beta‐cell function offers the prospect of making treatment with insulin easier and/or preventing the need for insulin, particularly when it comes to novel low‐risk immunotherapies. Led by the concept that the best insulin‐producing cell is a patient's own beta‐cell, the Type 1 diabetes scientific community has a challenging task ahead—to fundamentally change the management of this devastating disease by using low‐risk immunotherapy to preserve endogenous beta‐cell function and make metabolic control substantially easier. In that way, insulin and/or beta‐cell replacement (stem cell or transplantation) should in the future be considered rescue therapies reserved for delayed presentations.
On the evolution of trophic position
Authors: Moosmann Marvin , Cuenca‐Cambronero Maria , De Lisle Stephen , Greenway Ryan , Hudson Cameron M. , Lürig Moritz D. , Matthews Blake 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe trophic structure of food webs is primarily determined by the variation in trophic position among species and individuals. Temporal dynamics of food web structure are central to our understanding of energy and nutrient fluxes in changing environments, but little is known about how evolutionary processes shape trophic position variation in natural populations. We propose that trophic position, whose expression depends on both environmental and genetic determinants of the diet variation in individual consumers, is a quantitative trait that can evolve via natural selection. Such evolution can occur either when trophic position is correlated with other heritable morphological and behavioural traits under selection, or when trophic position is a target of selection, which is possible if the fitness effects of prey items are heterogeneously distributed along food chains. Recognising trophic position as an evolving trait, whose expression depends on the food web context, provides an important conceptual link between behavioural foraging theory and food web dynamics, and a useful starting point for the integration of ecological and evolutionary studies of trophic position.