bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of Bank Efficiency in Hong Kong: The Impact of System Integration
Authors: Yan Ting Liang , Ip Yun kit , Chao Wai Cheng 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This paper aims to assess the efficiency of publicly listed banks in Hong Kong following the implementation of system integration initiatives. System integration operationally refers to the process of combining various banking systems, technologies, and processes to enhance operational effectiveness and customer service. The key advanced technologies in the financial sector include Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. By evaluating the efficiency of banks in Hong Kong in the context of system integration, this study uses the DEA-BCC and DEA-Malmquist models to measure the impact of system integration on the operational performance of Hong Kong-listed banks from 2016 to 2021. The research findings reveal that nine listed Hong Kong banks have MI values greater than one, mainly due to the increase in the technology progress index.
JEL: G14, G21
Effectiveness of combined reflective learning strategy on perceived clinical reasoning among nursing students Tanzania: A quasi- experimental study
Authors: Nyaki Flora , Millanzi Walter , Kibusi Stephen 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Background
Patient safety is seriously threatened by the lack of fundamental clinical reasoning abilities. Competent nurses play a significant role in maintaining safety and effective healthcare services by integrating knowledge, abilities and attitudes that enable them to adapt to a changing health environment. Nursing clinical competence is the synthesis of knowledge, skills, clinical reasoning, values, beliefs and attitudes.
Objective
The purpose of this study was to compare the three teaching and learning methods (conversational, journaling and combined conversational and journaling reflective learning strategy in determine its effect on perceived self-directed learning and clinical reasoning in nursing education.
Methods
The study was conducted using a prospective quasi-experimental with pre- and post-evaluation. Participants received brief training on reflective practices and started to collect their clinical experiences based on the current clinical rotation department, write reflective journals, and conduct reflective conversations guided with Gibbs’s model of reflection. Data collection was performed before and after the intervention on their perceived clinical reasoning using the Nurses Clinical Reasoning Descriptive analysis and inferential statistics such as DID model were used.
Results
The study included 143 participants with mean age of 24.10 ± 2.12 where 74.8% of them were male. There was a statistically significant mean score change on perceived clinical reasoning among participants over time. The mean score performance of the participants ranged from 2.98 ± 0.94 to 4.43 ± 0.50. The overall effect size of the intervention on perceived clinical reasoning among participants accounted for β = 1.7091 to 2.2217. which is a huge effect size as compared to when they had no exposed on a combined reflective practice.
Conclusion
The findings revealed that integrated conversational and journaling reflective learning strategy has significant academic potentials of empowering the nursing students clinical reasoning skills before the provision of care to patients. Thus, combined reflective learning strategy can be used as a clinical teaching and learning strategy in nursing education.
Soil metabolic factors, not pathogens, drive replant disease: insights from a 20-year soil legacy experiment
Authors: Li lichongwei , Chen Guozhong , Zou Nan , Zhang Hongxia , Li Haokun , Zhu Ping , Bai Xinfu , Zhao Ying , Hou Yuping , Zhang Xingxiao 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Replant diseases (RDs) often stem from nutrient deficiency, allelopathy, or pathogen accumulation. However, the RDs of certain crops are long-lasting and their causes remain unknown. We examined Panax quinquefolius RD in a space-for-time soil sequence representing crop rotation restoration over 1, 10, and 20 years using multiomics and bioassays.
Results
Compared with the soils with no ginseng cultivation history, we found 110 potential influencing factors (not including pathogens) related to RD in the 1-year rotation soil, 53 of which remained unrestored after 20 years. Soil pH and the levels of organic nutrients (amino acids, carbohydrates, and alditols), allelopathic-promoting metabolites (phenolic acids, amines, pyridines, etc.), and beneficial bacteria (Sphingomonas, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, and Terrabacter) and fungi (Acremonium, Penicillium, and Naganishia) decreased, while the levels of allelopathic inhibitory factors (pyruvic and fatty acids) increased. The overall soil metabolism was downregulated. We confirmed that decreased organic nutrient levels and increased levels of allelochemical inhibitory substances impaired P. quinquefolius growth. Network analysis showed that soil metabolic factors rather than microbial factors were dominant.
Conclusions
Through a partial least squares structural equation model, we found that the overall changes in nutrient levels and metabolic and microbial factors contributed to short-term RD (1–10 year) persistence, whereas long-term RD (after 20 years) primarily resulted from disordered soil metabolite levels and pathways. This research will help deepen our understanding of the relationship between RD and potential changes in the factors influencing RD that are caused by soil legacy effects of valuable plants and provide theoretical guidance for effective soil quality improvement.
Models of good practice to enhance infectious disease care cascades among people who inject drugs: A qualitative study of interventions implemented in European settings
Authors: Horváth Ilonka , Mårdh Otilia , Schwarz Tanja 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
People who inject drugs (PWID) in Europe are at an increased risk of HIV/AIDS, chronic viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) and tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to complement the evidence base on interventions optimising their care cascade with evidence from models of good practice (MoGPs) implemented in the EU/EEA and countries from the Eastern European region.
Methods
A model of good practice (MoGP) was defined as (a package of) interventions with proven effectiveness in certain settings that are likely to be replicable and sustainable in other settings or countries. Fifteen MoGP identified by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) following a call launched in 2020 have been analysed. For the 15 MoGP, a qualitative content analysis was conducted of (i) intervention characteristics and (ii) enabling factors. Information was extracted and summarised for community-based testing, linkage to care and adherence to treatment.
Results
MoGPs emerged from projects implemented in Belarus, Norway, Portugal, the Republic of Moldova, Spain and the UK alongside the multi-country HepCare project (Ireland, Romania, Spain, the UK) targeting either HCV (6/15) or HIV/AIDS (4/15) alone or combined with HBV and/or TB (5/15). All MoGPs used packages of interventions, with decentralisation of services (15/15), cooperation among service providers (14/15), integrated services (10/15), peer interventions (12/15) and case management (4/15) reported across all stages in the care cascade. The synthesis of enablers shows that when replicating interventions in other settings, consideration should be given to national (legal) frameworks, characteristics of and proximity between healthcare and service providers and establishing relations of trust with PWID.
Conclusion
To improve the cascade of care for PWID in European settings, care structures and pathways should be simplified, based on cooperation and multidisciplinary. MoGPs can provide implementation-based evidence on interventions alongside evidence from peer-reviewed literature to optimise the care cascade among PWID.
A gait analysis method based on monocular camera for rapid screening of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Liu Huibin , Yang Mengshu , Wu yikang , Tian Chong , Zhou Yangshiyu , Feng Zhuoming , Wu Linfei , Liu Chuang , Liu Weizhong 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Gait analysis has important value in detecting and warning Alzheimer's disease.Some studies suggest that gait disorders in individuals with cognitive impairments occur earlier than neuropsychological abnormalities.By analyzing gait to determine whether there is a mild cognitive impairment, the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease can be detected earlier.Early gait disorders require the use of dual task walking to be detected, while ordinary single task walking is masked by cognitive reserve, and its mechanism still needs further research.In the field of traditional medicine, medical staff manually observe, record, and analyze gait, which takes a long time, incurs high labor costs, and cannot be performed simultaneously on a large scale.The 3D gait analysis system and wearable gait analysis system have high accuracy, but there are shortcomings such as complex operation and high dependence on equipment and professionals.The article proposes a gait analysis method based on a monocular camera, aiming to solve the problems of accuracy, portability, and efficiency of existing gait analysis methods.Machine learning of gait parameters obtained through gait analysis can determine whether a user has mild cognitive impairment and thus determining the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.The article provides the overall process of the method and proposes optimization strategies.The experiment has shown that this testing method has low cost, strong convenience, good reliability and validity of the gait parameters obtained, and high accuracy in determining whether there is mild cognitive impairment.
Probing of plant transcriptomes unveils the hitherto hidden genetic diversity of the family Secoviridae
Authors: Sidharthan V. Kavi , Reddy Vijay Prakash , Kiran G. , Rajeswari V. , Baranwal V.K. , M.Kiran  , Kumar Sudhir 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Secoviridae family contains single stranded RNA genome-containing viruses that infect plants. In the present study, we mined publicly available plant transcriptomes and identified sixty-one putative novel secoviral sequences in various plant species ranging from bryophytes to trees, which increased the known secoviral diversity by approximately 0.5-fold. Of the identified viral sequences, 13 were monopartite and 48 were bipartite, and sequences of 52 secoviruses were coding-complete and nine were partial. Except for small open reading frames (ORFs) determined in waikaviral genomes and RNA2 of torradoviruses, all the recovered genomes/genome segments contained a large ORF encoding a polyprotein. Based on genome organization, sequence similarity to known members, phylogeny and secovirus species demarcation criteria, all but three identified novel secoviruses were assigned to different secoviral genera- Cheravirus (3), Comovirus (2), Fabavirus (5), Nepovirus (29), Sadwavirus (3), Sequivirus (1), Stralarivirus (1), Torradovirus (4) and Waikavirus (10). Genome organization of two of the identified waika-like viruses resembled that of the recently identified waika-like virus- Triticum aestivum secovirus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the host-waikavirus co-evolution pattern in a few waika- and waika-like viruses, the increased phylogenetic diversity of nepoviruses and the phylogenetic clustering of waika-like viruses. The study paves way for further studies on understanding the biological properties of identified novel secoviruses.
Medical tourism among Indonesians: a scoping review
Authors: Asa Gregorius Abanit , Fauk Nelsensius Klau , Mclean Caitlan , Ward Paul Russell 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
International medical travel or medical tourism is not a new phenomenon in many countries, including among Indonesians. Indonesia is reported as a major source of patients from the lower, middle, to upper classes for its neighbouring countries. This scoping review aims to synthesise evidence on supporting factors for Indonesians taking medical tourism and what needs to be improved in Indonesia’s health system.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review guided by a framework provided by Arksey and O’Malley. We systematically searched existing literature from 5 databases, including MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Wiley. Data were extracted based on study details, study design, characteristics of participants and results.
Results
A total of 25 articles were included in this review. The review highlights a broad range of facilitators for medical tourism among Indonesians: (i) availability of health services, medical specialities, and person-centred care, (ii) region adjacency, transport, and health agency, (iii) affordability of medical treatment, (iv) religious and socio-cultural factors, and (v) reasons patients reported distrust in Indonesian doctors.
Conclusion
The findings indicate improvements in the Indonesian health system are necessary if the increasing rates of international medical tourism by Indonesian people are to change. Addressing the factors identified in this scoping review through avenues including policy may increase people’s satisfaction and trust towards health care and treatment in Indonesia, thereby reducing the number of Indonesian people taking medical tourism.
Instructors’ teaching practice and students’ learning styles as determinants of academic achievement among first-year university students in Ethiopia, SNNPR universities
Authors: Berhanu Anemut Mehari , Tadesse Bezina Kassahun , Birru Biniam 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The major purpose of this study was to examine the instructors’ teaching practice and students’ learning styles as determinants of academic achievement among first-year university students. A correlational research design was employed. One from each generation, total four universities were sampled. A total of 599 (263 instructors and 336 students) participated in the study. Both descriptive statistics such as frequency, percent, mean, and standard deviation and non-parametric inferential statistics such as Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA, Spearman correlation, and regression tests were performed. Accordingly, we came up with the following findings. First, reflective, sensing, and visual learning styles are the major learning styles among first year students. Second, female instructors, MA/MSc, and PhD degree holder instructors showed better teaching practice than male and BA degree holder instructors. Third, the instructors' HDP (Higher Diploma Program) training, courses taught, and universities have statistically insignificant variation in their teaching practice. Besides, student’s gender and academic achievement have statistically insignificant variation in their learning styles. Fourth, the instructors’ teaching practice has statistically insignificant effect to moderate the association between students learning styles and their academic achievement. In addition, the students learning styles insignificantly related to and predict their academic achievement. Similarly, the instructors’ teaching practices, work experience, HDP training, and level of education insignificantly related to and predict the students’ academic achievement in this particular study.
Front interface defect signature and benefits of CdSeTe thickness and band gap in CdSeTe/CdTe graded solar cell
Authors: Filipe Daniel Inacio , Chenene Manuel Luis 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Thin film solar cells based on CdTe absorber suffer from abnormal current density – voltage (J-V) shapes and open‑circuit voltage deficit due to suboptimum device architecture, non-optimal back contact and bulk absorber limiting factors, such as low doping density, grain boundary and low carrier lifetime. In this study, we investigate the role of window/absorber interface defects properties in the J‑V curve shape and the combined effect of CdSexTe1-x thickness and band gap on the device performance using SCAPS-1D. For donor-type interface defects no abnormalities are reported in the J-V curve shape of the device. Acceptor-like defects show strong effect on the J-V shape and two types of anomalies in the J-V curve are reported, hysteresis and s-kink. Those abnormalities are eliminated when the defects concentration at the front interface is bellow or equal to. The simulations also point out the optimum CdSeTe thickness and band gap to achieve simultaneously high values of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit density, as well as, high conversion efficiency and fill factor. We demonstrate that further device structural optimization is required in MZO/CdSeTe/CdTe solar cell.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Project Completion in Education
Authors: SWARGIARY KHRITISH 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies into educational settings has gained significant attention in recent years. This experimental research article explores the use of AI to facilitate and enhance project work in education. The study assesses the impact of AI-driven tools on student performance, engagement, and overall project completion in a controlled educational environment. The results suggest that AI can be a valuable asset in education, promoting efficiency and effectiveness in project-based learning.
Correlation of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study
Authors: R Greeshma L. , Joseph Anna P , Sivakumar T. T. , Pillai Varun Raghavan , Vijayakumar Gopikrishnan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
The programmed cell death protein (PD-1)/ programmed cell death protein ligand (PD- L1) pathway and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen are the most important co-stimulatory molecules that play a key role in the negative regulation of T cells during carcinogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal oral mucosa. Twenty-five cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma, oral leukoplakia and normal oral mucosa tissue specimens were immunohistochemically stained to assess PD-1 and PD-L1 expression. The PD-L1 positivity of subepithelial TAFs (p<0.001) increased with increasing grades of oral leukoplakia. Pearson’s correlation indicated a high positive correlation between the PD-L1 labelling index of epithelial tumour cells and the PD-1 labelling index of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (p-value: 0.005) in OSCC. A high positive correlation was noted between the H-score of PD-L1 positive tumour epithelial cells and the H-score of PD-1 positive tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in OSCC (p-value: 0.001). PD-L1 positivity increased in dysplastic epithelial cells from premalignant lesions to malignancy.The sub-epithelial PD-L1 positive TAFs were higher in oral leukoplakia compared to OSCC inferring that PD-L1 positivity in TAFs decreased with malignant transformation. The PD-1 positivity in TILs was higher in oral leukoplakia than in OSCC.
A bioeconomic quantitative genetic model for assessing milling yields in rice
Authors: Ali Fawad , Jighly Abdulqader , Joukhadar Reem , Jahufer Zulfi , Khan Shahbaz 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Rice production holds global significance; however, the sustainability of milling yield traits has yet to receive sufficient attention. Therefore, the current study proposed a bioeconomic model integrated with genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) to rank elite rice genotypes for head rice yield percentages (HRY%). To underpin the elite genotypes, we used a recombinant inbred lines (RIL) population (F7) developed by crossing two medium grain rice cultivars, 'M2O5' x 'Baru', with six biological replicates. Both parents had contrasting phenotypic expressions for HRY% [(M2O5; 40%) and (Baru; 54%)]. RIL were under the genetic influence as an additive genetic variance (σ2a) of up to 37% for HRY% with high narrow-sense heritability (h2n>40%) and genetic advance of > 4% per generation with a predicted genetic gain of up to 7%. The measured traits had a moderate to strong genotypic correlation (rg; +0.3 to -0.7; P < 0.05). Bioeconomic adjusted genomic estimated breeding values (Bioeconomic-GEBV) identified the best-performing nineteen (19) individuals with high HRY% and reduced percentage losses (Husk loss, broken brown rice loss and broken white rice loss). We developed an improved version of the linkage mapping software ‘SimpleMapV2’, but QTL mapping did not detect any significant (LOD threshold > 3) QTL associated with HRY% and associated losses. The current study had a dearth of potential for implementing a bioeconomic genetic model at a larger scale across the diversity panel and breeding populations to improve milling yield traits in rice and across different grain/fruit crops that have been neglected so far.
Computational Advancement towards the Identification of Natural Inhibitors for Dengue Virus: A Brief Review
Authors: Sajid Muhammad , Tur  Razia Iashia , Kanwal Ayesha , Ahsan Muhammad , Tahir Rana Adnan , Sajid Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Saleem , Mukhtar Naila , Parveen Gulnaz , Sehgal Sheikh Arslan 
Published: October 2023

:
Viral infectious illnesses represent a severe hazard to human health due to their widespread
incidence worldwide. Among these ailments, the dengue virus (DENV) infection stands
out. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that DENV infection affects ~400 million
people each year, with potentially fatal symptoms showing up in 1% of the cases. In several instances,
academic and pharmaceutical researchers have conducted several pilot and clinical studies
on a variety of topics, including viral epidemiology, structure and function analyses, infection
source and route, therapeutic targets, vaccinations, and therapeutic drugs. Amongst Takeda,
TAK-003, Sanofi, Dengvaxia®, and Butantan/NIH/Merck, Dengvaxia® (CYD-TDV) is the only
licensed vaccination yet; however, the potential inhibitors are under development. The biology
and evolution of DENVs are briefly discussed in this review, which also compiles the most recent
studies on prospective antiviral targets and antiviral candidates. In conclusion, the triumphs
and failures have influenced the development of anti-DENV medications, and the findings in this
review article will stimulate more investigation.