bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Effects of Public Debt on Sri Lanka’s Economic Growth: A Short-term and Long-term Perspective
Authors: U.L. Milhana , J.M.A. Jayawickrama 
Published: August 2024

Aims: The objective of this paper is to examine whether public debt enhances economic growth in Sri Lanka by separating debt into domestic and external debt.
Study Design: The paper adopts the Keynesian demand-side model to estimate GDP on demand-side and supply-side factors such as domestic debt, external debt, gross fixed capital formation (investment in short), labour force, general price level, money supply, government spending and trade openness. In a model where debt causes investment, public debt effects are netted out from investment by removing the estimated investment effects of domestic and external debt.
Duration of Study: quarterly data from Q1 2010 to Q1 2023 are utilized to trace the long-term and the short-term effects of domestic and external debt on GDP.
Methodology: The ARDL method of estimation is used and the model is estimated in double log form so that estimated parameters reflect output elasticities. A general to specific modelling approach is adopted to find the best suited model.
Results: Variables such as government spending, money supply, general price level and labour force are not relevant while domestic debt, external debt, investment (debt effects netted out) and trade openness are significant in describing GDP. The long-term domestic debt elasticity of GDP is 0.588 while short-term domestic debt elasticity (sum of contemporaneous and lag effects) is about 0.63. The cumulative effects of domestic debt on GDP tappers off to 0.60 in the long-run. The result suggests negative impacts (-0.272 and -0.254) of external debt on the economic growth in short-term and long-term respectively. The negative effect of external debt can be justified if recent external borrowings have been used to repay loans taken to finance war and unproductive projects.
Conclusion: The paper finds that the domestic public debt creates relatively strong positive effects on GDP in the short-term and the long-term. Contrary to the expectations, the effects of external debt on GDP have become negative both in the short-term and the long-term. The paper also finds that debt effects on GDP have been significantly reduced when debt effect-ridden investment variable is included in the regression in place of debt-effect netted out investment. Thus, this study recommends researchers to carry out further research on why the effects of external debt on GDP become negative. Further, it recommends policy makers to use both domestic and external debt to finance public investment and productivity enhancement projects rather than borrowing merely for the purpose of consumption and repaying of existing debt.
Knowledge Level of Caregivers on Immunization for Children (under-5 Years) in Nigeria
Authors: Orofuke Ngozi G. , Ighosewe Ayirioritse Peace , Ofonakara Uzochukwu , Elusoji Christiana I. , Ofilia Charles C. , Otutua Michael O. , Ohanme Eugene O. 
Published: August 2024

Background: Families, especially mothers are the major role players with regard to their children’s immunization. This study empirically Knowledge Level of Caregivers on Immunization for Children under-5 years in Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A well self-structured questionnaires drawn from caregivers of under-5 children who were disposed to immunization in the nine (9) local government areas in Delta North senatorial district was used. However, the questionnaires were distributed to 3843 caregivers across the Nine (9) local government areas under study but the researcher was able to successfully retrieve 3624, representing 94% of the sample size.. Two major hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA) regression analysis with the aid of SPSS.
Results: The data showed that 3030, representing about 85.0% of the respondents were mothers while the remaining 544 (15.0%) were male (fathers) with under-5 children in Delta North Senatorial District The findings shows that the knowledge level of caregivers, and enablers are respectively statistically significant in the immunization of under-5 children in Delta North senatorial district of Delta State, Nigeria.
Conclusion: It is therefore concluded that for the immunization to becomes successfully performed caregivers must have basic or advanced education and training to avoid the an increased mortality rate of death to children below five (5) years old.
Contact Lenses
Authors: Lai Yu‐Chin , Wilson Alan C. , Zantos Steve G. , by Staff Updated 
Published: September 2014

AbstractContact lenses are small, hemispherical‐shaped optical devices placed in contact with the transparent tissue at the front of the eye called the cornea. The capillary attraction of the liquid tear layer between the contact lens and the cornea and the partial coverage of the lens by the eyelids prevent contact lenses from being dislodged. All contact lenses can be divided according to the wearing modality. There are two types of general categories of contact lenses soft and rigid gas permeable. There are extended wear lenses available for overnight or for up to 30 days. Disposable lenses are to be used once and then discarded. Contact lenses also are divided into the type of vision problem for which they provide optical correction, ie, myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, sand astigmatism. Contact lenses are manufactured by molding or spin casting. Poly(methyl methacrylate) was the first plastic to be used as a hard lens. Most of today's lenses are made of silicone hydrogels. Tinted lenses are used for cosmetic purposes. Colorants used have to be FDA approved. Contact lens wearers must be aware of the possibility of infection from microbes. Strict cleaning schedules must be followed. Contact lenses are now being investigated for other purposes than vision correction. Disease monitoring, drug delivery, and filtering of light are newer uses.
Isoprene
Authors: Lybarger Hugh M. , by Staff Updated 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Isoprene is a colorless, volatile liquid that is soluble in most hydrocarbons, but is practically insoluble in water. The isoprene unit exists extensively in nature. It is found in terpenes, camphors, Vitamin A and K, chlorophyll and other compounds isolated from plants and animals. Isoprene is highly reactive and its reactions are similar to those of butadiene. Russia dominates the world in terms of high purity isoprene capacity, production, and consumption. A principal route for the production of isoprene is recovery from ethylene by‐products streams. High purity isoprene is used almost in its entirety to produce polyisoprene. Isoprene emissions play an dominant role in atmospheric chemistry.
Liquid Crystals
Authors: Bisoyi Hari Krishna , Li Quan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractLiquid crystals have become quintessential materials in our daily life. The creation of a multibillion dollar liquid crystal display (LCD) industry for information displays demonstrates how great economic prosperity can evolve from a pure curiosity‐driven academic research endeavor. Today, the number ofLCDs on our planet even surpasses its population. Display devices using liquid crystals as the active components like mobile phones, computer and television screens, projectorsetc. have enhanced the quality and comfort of people's life and have drastically revolutionized the way that we present information. In this chapter, we will discuss “Liquid Crystals”, the mysterious and fascinating state of matter. After a brief introduction of their scientific and technological significance, we describe what liquid crystals are and how to identify them followed by a brief history. Then, different liquid crystalline phase structures formed by different classes of materials are presented. The chapter is concluded by briefly highlighting the practical and potential applications of different classes of liquid crystals.
Electron and Hole Mobility in Semiconductor Devices
Authors: Ghibaudo Gérard , Rafhay Quentin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractCarrier mobility in a semiconductor is one of the most important parameters for the operation of electronic devices. Actually, the mobility measures the ability of free carriers (electrons or holes) to move in the material as it is subjected to an external electric field. The magnitude of the mobility directly impacts on the device performance since it determines the operation speed through the transit time across the device, the circuit operating frequency, or the sensitivity in magnetic sensors.In this article, the basic aspects of electronic transport in a semiconductor will be addressed, first with a special emphasis on the mobility behavior. Then a brief review of the transport properties for Silicon and GaAs will be presented owing to typical electron and hole mobility data for majority and minority carriers. Finally, some specific mobility results for field effect transistors such as Si MOSFETs, GaAs heterostructure field effect transistors (HFET) as well as GaAs and Ge based MOSFETs will be discussed.
Upper mantle tomography in the northwestern Pacific region using triplicated P waves
Authors: Takeuchi Nozomu , Kawakatsu Hitoshi , Tanaka Satoru , Obayashi Masayuki , Chen Y. John , Ning Jieyuan , Grand Steve P. , Niu Fenglin , Ni James , Iritani Rryohei , Idehara Koki , Tonegawa Takashi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractWe conducted delay time tomography of the upper mantle beneath the northwestern Pacific using P data from NorthEast China Extended SeiSmic Array, F‐net, and nearby available stations. To improve resolution and accuracy in the vicinity of mantle discontinuities, we extracted traveltimes of both initial and secondary phases observed at triplication distances by using a waveform fitting technique. Compared with the model obtained by using only the initial phase, the resolution just above the 410 km discontinuity is especially improved, and low‐velocity anomalies beneath the Changbai Volcano are clearly observed down to the 410 km discontinuity. Compared with previous models, low‐velocity anomalies atop the 410 are more pronounced. The results of this study together with the previous receiver function analysis provide further support that we have hot material beneath the Changbai Volcano.
Energy transfer between wind waves and low‐frequency oscillations on a fringing reef, Ipan, Guam
Authors: Péquignet Anne‐Christine N. , Becker Janet M. , Merrifield Mark A. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractField observations from a Guam fringing reef are used to examine the cross‐reef energy exchange between high‐frequency sea and swell (SS) and low‐frequency infragravity (IG) and far infragravity (fIG) waves. Energetic SS waves (significant wave heights 2–4 m) break at the outer reef, leading to weak (<1 m) conditions on the shallow reef flat. As SS waves shoal on the reef face before breaking, IG and fIG energy fluxes both increase through nonlinear energy transfer from the SS waves. In contrast, through the surf zone, the IG energy flux decreases whereas fIG flux increases. The decrease in IG energy flux through the surf zone is attributed to breaking SS waves working against the incident bound IG wave energy, which dominates breakpoint forced IG waves, yielding a net flux decrease. In contrast, fIG energy flux increases through the surf zone, consistent with breakpoint forcing and the absence of an energetic bound fIG component on the reef face. IG and fIG energy fluxes decay on the shallow reef flat due primarily to frictional dissipation, with tidal modulations attributed to nonlinear conversion and friction. Forcing at fIG frequencies may lead to a normal mode response on the reef with comparable incoming and outgoing fIG energy fluxes at the outer reef flat, depending on water level over the reef flat and the degree of frictional dissipation.
On Cognition, Need, and Action: How Working Memory and Need for Cognition Influence Leisure Activities
Authors: Therriault David J. , Redifer Jenni L. , Lee Christine S. , Wang Ye 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe present study examined the relationships among college students' need for cognition (NFC), their working memory capacity, and their preferred leisure activities. Results indicated that scoring higher on the NFC scale was related to participants engaging in cognitively higher load leisure activities (e.g., writing) than lower load leisure activities (e.g., watching TV). We did not find a relationship between participants' cognitive ability (as measured by an attentional capacity task) and their choice of leisure activities. In sum, personal dispositions contributed to the choice and complexity of people's leisure activities, whereas cognitive ability did not. These findings provide a theoretical framework for further exploring the relationships between disposition, cognition, and action. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precipitation regionalization of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos Eliane Barbosa , Lucio Paulo Sérgio , Silva Cláudio Moisés Santos e 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe Brazilian Amazon is a large territory, where different weather systems act, contributing to non‐homogeneity of the rainfall seasonal distribution in the region. The aim of this study is to determine sub‐regions of homogeneous precipitation in the Amazon, linking them to the main atmospheric systems that affect the rainfall in the region. For this, hierarchical cluster analysis was applied on a data set composed by 305 rain gauges. The results suggest that the Brazilian Amazon has six pluvial homogeneous regions.
Enhanced luminescence and white light emission from Eu3+‐co‐doped K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl:Dy3+ phosphor with near visible ultraviolet excitation for white LEDs
Authors: Baig N. , Dhoble N. S. , Park K. , Kokode N. S. , Dhoble S. J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe luminescent properties of europium (Eu)‐ and dysprosium (Dy)‐co‐doped K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl halosulfate phosphors were analyzed. This paper reports the photoluminescence (PL) properties of K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl microphosphor doped with Eu and Dy and synthesized using a cost‐effective wet chemical method. The phosphors were characterized by X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The CIE coordinates were calculated to display the color of the phosphor. PL emission of the prepared samples show peaks at 484 nm (blue), 575 nm (yellow), 594 nm (orange) and 617 nm (red). The emission color of the Eu,Dy‐co‐doped K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl halophosphor depends on the doping concentration and excitation wavelength. The addition of Eu in K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl:Dy greatly enhances the intensity of the blue and yellow peaks, which corresponds to the 4 F9/2 → 6H15/2 and 4 F9/2 → 6H13/2 transitions of Dy3+ ions (under 351 nm excitation). The Eu3+/Dy3+ co‐doping also produces white light emission for 1 mol% of Eu3+, 1 mol% of Dy3+ in the K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl lattice under 396 nm excitation, for which the calculated chromaticity coordinates are (0.35, 0.31). Thus, K3Ca2(SO4)3Cl co‐doped with Eu/Dy is a suitable candidate for NUV based white light‐emitting phosphors technology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of outcome following laparoscopic peritoneal lavage for perforated diverticulitis
Authors: Radé F , Bretagnol F , Auguste M , Di Guisto C , Huten N , de Calan L 
Published: September 2014

Abstract

Background
Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage has been proposed for generalized peritonitis from perforated diverticulitis to avoid a stoma. Reports of its feasibility and safety are promising. This study aimed to establish determinants of failure to enable improved selection of patients for this approach.

Methods
The study included all patients with perforated sigmoid diverticulitis who underwent emergency laparoscopic peritoneal lavage from January 2000 to December 2013. Factors predicting failure of laparoscopic treatment were analysed from data collected retrospectively.

Results
For patients undergoing emergency sigmoid resection (72 of 361), mortality and morbidity rates were 13 and 35 per cent respectively. In all, 71 patients had laparoscopic lavage, with mortality and morbidity rates of 6 and 28 per cent respectively. Reintervention was necessary in 11 patients (15 per cent) for unresolved sepsis. Age 80 years or more, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade III or above, and immunosuppression were associated with reintervention.

Conclusion
Elderly patients and those with immunosuppression or severe systemic co-morbidity are at risk of reintervention after laparoscopic lavage.
Excess adiposity and gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Coe P O , O'Reilly D A , Renehan A G 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundExcess adiposity is a risk factor for incidence of several gastrointestinal cancers, but it is unclear how these epidemiological observations translate into clinical practice.MethodsCritical appraisals and updated analyses of published systematic reviews were undertaken to quantify cancer risk associations better and to assess the impact of weight-reducing strategies (surgical and non-surgical) on cancer prevention.Results and conclusionA large volume of evidence demonstrates that body mass index (BMI), as an approximation for general adiposity, is a risk factor for the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and colorectal, hepatocellular, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers. A smaller volume of evidence demonstrates that indices of increased central adiposity (such as waist circumference) are associated with increased risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and colorectal cancer, but these indices are not necessarily better predictors of risk compared with BMI. Several biological mechanisms may explain these associations but each hypothesis has several caveats and weaknesses. There are few data that convincingly demonstrate significant reductions in risk of gastrointestinal cancers following weight-reducing strategies. In turn, there are many methodological pitfalls in this literature, which prevent conclusive interpretation. The lack of robust intermediary obesity-related biomarkers is an additional unresolved challenge for prevention trials. Novel underpinning mechanisms (for example, local ectopic fat) and more accurate methods to measure these intermediaries are sought and explored as the most optimistic research strategies for the future.
Impact of extranodal extension on prognosis in lymph node-positive gastric cancer
Authors: Lee I-S , Park Y-S , Ryu M-H , Song M J , Yook J-H , Oh S-T , Kim B-S 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe TNM classification system is used widely for tumour staging, and directs the treatment and prognosis of patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of extranodal extension (ENE) in patients with early gastric cancer.MethodsAll patients who underwent gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy for primary gastric cancer with lymph node metastases between January 2003 and June 2006 were reviewed. Histological slides of metastatic nodes were reviewed by two gastrointestinal pathologists. The association of ENE with clinicopathological characteristics was assessed. The disease-specific survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and a multivariable Cox regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors.ResultsSome 1143 patients were included. ENE was associated with advanced pT and pN category, larger tumour size and lymphovascular/perineural invasion. In multivariable analysis, pT category, pN category, ENE, lymphovascular invasion and perineural invasion were found to be independent prognostic factors in node-positive gastric carcinoma. The 5-year survival rate of patients with ENE was 48·1 per cent, compared with 78·2 per cent for patients without ENE (P &lt; 0·001). In the subgroup of patients with early gastric cancer, ENE was associated with a worse 5-year survival rate in patients with early (T1) gastric cancer: 75 per cent in patients with ENEversus 96·9 per cent in those without (P &lt; 0·001).ConclusionENE is an independent prognostic factor in patients with early and advanced gastric cancer.
Serum fatty acid profiles and potential biomarkers of ankylosing spondylitis determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis
Authors: Chen Rui , Han Su , Dong Daming , Wang Yansong , Liu Qingpeng , Xie Wei , Li Mi , Yao Meng 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAnkylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease. Early and accurate detection is essential for effective disease treatment. Recently, research has focused on genomics and proteomics. However, the associated metabolic variations, especially fatty acid profiles, have been poorly discussed. In this study, the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) approach and multivariate statistical analysis were used to investigate the metabolic profiles of serum free fatty acids (FFAs) and esterified fatty acids (EFAs) in AS patients. The results showed that significant differences in most of the FFA (C12:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:3, C20:4, C20:5, C22:5 and C22:6) and EFA (C12:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20:4 and C22:6) concentrations were found between the AS patients and healthy controls (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis were performed to classify the AS patients and controls. Additionally, FFAs C20:4, C12:0, C18:3 and EFAs C22:6, C12:0 were confirmed as potential biomarkers to identify AS patients and healthy controls. The present study highlights that differences in the serum FFA and EFA profiles of AS patients reflect the metabolic disorder. Moreover, FFA and EFA biomarkers appear to have clinical applications for the screening and diagnosis of AS. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous quantification of two steroidal glycosides after oral gavage of Marsdenia tenacissima extract in rats using a LC‐MS/MS method
Authors: Wang Wei , Sun Wei , Dong Lei , Qu Xiaotong , Shi Jin , Li Ke‐Jun , Li Bing , Ma Da‐Peng 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA specific, sensitive and accurate analytical LC‐MS/MS assay was developed for the simultaneous determination of two steroidal glycosides, tenacissoside H and tenacissoside I, in rat plasma. An Agilent ZORBAX SB‐C18 column was used with an isocratic mobile phase system composed of methanol–water–formic acid (70:30:0.1, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analysis was performed on a positive ionization electrospray mass spectrometer via selected reaction monitoring mode scan. One‐step protein precipitation with acetonitrile was chosen to extract the analytes from plasma. The lower limits of quantification were 0.9 ng/mL for tenacissoside H and tenacissoside I. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were 2.03–11.56 and 3.76–11.62%, respectively, and the accuracies were <110.28% at all quality control levels. The validated method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in rats after oral gavage of Marsdenia tenacissima extract. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.