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1
Goeke, Richard J., Kerri Anne Crowne, and Dennis R. Laker. "The Effect of Education on Information Systems Success." Information Resources Management Journal 31, no. 3 (July 2018): 17–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/irmj.2018070102.
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Research into the relationship between education and information systems (IS) success (use, satisfaction, and impact) has produced mixed results. Such results seem counterintuitive, given the many benefits that education brings to the workplace. However, workplace research from Human Resources (HR) has similarly found that education has little direct effect on job performance. Instead, education has indirect effects on job performance through job expertise, which is what drives behavior and job performance. The present research integrated the Delone & McLean IS Success Model with the Job Performance Model, and found similar results: in a survey of 465 professionals working in business analytics (BA), user education level had no direct effect on IS success (BA tool use, satisfaction, and impact). Instead, education level had a positive effect on expertise with the BA tool, which in turn positively affected BA tool use. These results build upon those from HR, and suggest that education has an indirect effect on IS success, rather than a direct effect.
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Ferreira, Bárbara Carlos, André Estevam, and Diego Maia. "Clima Urbano e Ilhas de Calor no Miolo Urbano na Cidade de Salvador (BA)." Revista Brasileira de Geografia Física 15, no. 6 (2022): 2768–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.26848/rbgf.v15.6.p2768-2780.
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The objective of this research was to analyze the heat islands in the city of Salvador in the neighborhoods of Cabula and Pernambués both located in the urban core area of the city. The relevance of geographic factors of location, altitude, influence of sea and continental breeze systems, as well as the effect of heating of surface areas to urban land use were addressed. The theoretical and methodological conception of the Urban Climate System. In this context, maps of land uses of localities were generated through the arcview 9.1 programa. Subsequently, surface temperatures were made through infrared sensor thermometers through the various types of ground cover through technical visits to several streets and avenues in the neighborhoods. This information supported the organization of the final report of the research that used the Thermal Discomfort Index (ID). The use of ID has extreme relevance because it seeks to establish correlations between heat islands and physical discomfort that has a direct impact on people's health and quality of life. In the neighborhoods of Pernambués and Cabula, discomfort zone classes were identified. However, it is worth highlighting the relevance of the fragment of the Dense Ombrófila Forest as a fundamental element in the establishment of a frescor island in the Cabula neighborhood.
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Hsu, Chin-Yu, Chih-Da Wu, Ya-Ping Hsiao, Yu-Cheng Chen, Mu-Jean Chen, and Shih-Chun Lung. "Developing Land-Use Regression Models to Estimate PM2.5-Bound Compound Concentrations." Remote Sensing 10, no. 12 (December 6, 2018): 1971. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs10121971.
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Epidemiology estimates how exposure to pollutants may impact human health. It often needs detailed determination of ambient concentrations to avoid exposure misclassification. However, it is unrealistic to collect pollutant data from each and every subject. Land-use regression (LUR) models have thus been used frequently to estimate individual levels of exposures to ambient air pollution. This paper used remote sensing and geographical information system (GIS) tools to develop ten regression models for PM2.5-bound compound concentration based on measurements of a six-year period including , OC, EC, Ba, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Sb. The explained variance (R2) of these LUR models ranging from 0.60 to 0.92 confirms that this study successfully estimated the fine spatial variability of PM2.5-bound compound concentrations in Taiwan where the distribution of traffic, industrial area, greenness, and culture-specific PM2.5 sources like temples collected from GIS and remote sensing data were main variables. In particular, while they were much less used, this study showcased the necessity of remote sensing data of greenness in future LUR studies for reducing the exposure bias. In terms of local residents’ health outcome or health effect indicators, this study further offers much-needed support for future air epidemiological studies. The results provide important insights into expanding the application of GIS and remote sensing on exposure assessment for PM2.5-bound compounds.
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Liem Bui, Van, and Dieu An Nguyen Thi. "The impacts of (Ba,Sr)3BP3O12:Eu2+ on the luminous flux of phosphor-converted-white light emitting diode packages." Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science 27, no. 2 (August 1, 2022): 685. http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v27.i2.pp685-691.
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<span>The use of (Ba,Sr)<sub>3</sub>BP<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> in the remote phosphor structure has been proposed and analysed to offer significant improvement to the lighting performance of the phosphor-converted white light emitting diode (LED). The phosphor emits green and blue spectra centred at 520 nm and 465 nm, respectively. Thus, the phosphor can compensate the blue and green light energy components in the white-light spectral band, helping to enhance the luminous efficiency and colour uniformity of the dual-layer remote phosphor package. The increase in (Ba,Sr)<sub>3</sub>BP<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> however is not advantageous to the colour rendering index because of the lower red emission. The backscattered and back-reflected lights are degraded when the (Ba,Sr)<sub>3</sub>BP<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> phosphor layer appears in the structure. The stable chromaticity and luminous flux at good values are observed when 10% weight percentage of (Ba,Sr)<sub>3</sub>BP<sub>3</sub>O<sub>12</sub>:Eu<sup>2+</sup> is applied</span>.
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Tarro, Thomas M., Laurie Song, Beth A. Carter, Meiyu Yeh, Pia S. Pannaraj, and Sindhu Mohandas. "579. Prophylactic Antibiotics Did Not Decrease Recurrent Cholangitis in Patients with Biliary Atresia After Kasai Portoenterostomy." Open Forum Infectious Diseases 7, Supplement_1 (October 1, 2020): S354—S355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.773.
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Abstract Background Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare, progressive, idiopathic, fibro-obliterative disease of the extrahepatic biliary tree seen in children. The current standard treatment is surgical management with Kasai portoenterostomy (KP). Bacterial cholangitis is a frequent complication following KP and an important determinant of long-term prognosis. Use of prophylactic antibiotics is common but not universal and efficacy is controversial. Methods A retrospective study was performed that included all patients with BA who underwent KP from November 2002 to July 2019. Chart review was conducted to collect demographic information and evaluate the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, number of cholangitis episodes, time to liver transplantation (LVT), and survival. Results Ninety-one patients with BA underwent KP during the study period. Seventy-two (79%) received prophylactic antibiotics, and 19 (21%) did not. The median duration of prophylactic antibiotics was 7 months (interquartile range [IQR] 8.5). Patients in the no-prophylaxis group had significantly fewer cholangitis episodes (median 0, IQR 1) than in the antibiotic prophylaxis group (median 1, IQR 2), p= 0.0201. The median time to LVT was 8 months (IQR 8.5) in the antibiotic prophylaxis group, compared to 7 months (IQR 6) in the no-prophylaxis group, p=0.8827. Of the patients who were on antibiotic prophylaxis, 57 (79.2%) received trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) alone and 15 (20.8%) received multiple/other antibiotics. Seven patients (7.7%) had culture-positive cholangitis. Six of 7 received prophylaxis with TMP-SMX and 5 of 7 grew bacteria that were resistant to TMP-SMX. No deaths occurred between the postoperative KP period to the time of LVT in both groups. Table 1. Characteristics of Patients in the Prophylaxis and No-prophylaxis Groups. Table 2. Impact of Prophylactic Antibiotics in the Period Between Kasai Portoenterostomy and Liver Transplantation. Table 3. Patients with Culture-positive Cholangitis after Kasai Portoenterostomy (n=7). Conclusion Antibiotic prophylaxis was frequently used after KP with TMP-SMX being the most common antibiotic used. Patients in the no-prophylaxis group had significantly fewer cholangitis episodes compared to those receiving antibiotic prophylaxis. Prophylactic antibiotics did not have an impact on time to LVT. Our findings suggest that antibiotic prophylaxis is not helpful in decreasing the frequency of cholangitis episodes after KP and may increase the risk for infections with resistant bacteria. Larger prospective randomized control studies are recommended. Disclosures Pia S. Pannaraj, MD, MPH, AstraZeneca (Grant/Research Support)Pfizer (Grant/Research Support)Sanofi Pasteur (Advisor or Review Panel member)
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Parra-Lucares, Alfredo, Paula Segura, Verónica Rojas, Catalina Pumarino, Gustavo Saint-Pierre, and Luis Toro. "Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in the World: How Could This Happen?" Life 12, no. 2 (January 28, 2022): 194. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/life12020194.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant global impact, with more than 280,000,000 people infected and 5,400,000 deaths. The use of personal protective equipment and the anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaigns have reduced infection and death rates worldwide. However, a recent increase in infection rates has been observed associated with the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the more recently described lineage B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) and lineage B.1.1.529/BA.1 (Omicron variant). These new variants put the effectiveness of international vaccination at risk, with the appearance of new outbreaks of COVID-19 throughout the world. This emergence of new variants has been due to multiple predisposing factors, including molecular characteristics of the virus, geographic and environmental conditions, and the impact of social determinants of health that favor the genetic diversification of SARS-CoV-2. We present a literature review on the most recent information available on the emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the world. We analyzed the biological, geographical, and sociocultural factors that favor the development of these variants. Finally, we evaluate the surveillance strategies for the early detection of new variants and prevent their distribution outside these regions.
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Katagis, Thomas, and Ioannis Z. Gitas. "Assessing the Accuracy of MODIS MCD64A1 C6 and FireCCI51 Burned Area Products in Mediterranean Ecosystems." Remote Sensing 14, no. 3 (January 27, 2022): 602. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs14030602.
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The catastrophic impact of wildfires on the economy and ecosystems of Mediterranean countries in recent years, along with insufficient policies that favor disproportionally high funding for fire suppression, demand a more comprehensive understanding of fire regimes. Satellite remote sensing products support the generation of relevant burned-area (BA) information, since they provide the means for the systematic monitoring of large areas worldwide at low cost. This research study assesses the accuracy of the two publicly available MODIS BA products, MCD64A1 C6 and FireCCI51, at a national scale in a Mediterranean country. The research period covered four fire seasons, and a comparison was conducted against a higher-resolution Sentinel-2 dataset. The specific objectives were to assess their performance in detecting fire events occurring primarily in forest and semi-natural lands and to investigate their spatial and temporal uncertainties. Monthly fire observations were processed and analyzed to derive a comprehensive set of accuracy metrics. We found that fire size has an impact on their detection accuracy, with higher detection occurring in fires larger than 100 ha. Detection of smaller (<100 ha) fires was favored by the 250 m FireCCI51 product, but not from MCD64A1 C6, which exhibited less than 50% detection probability in the same range. Their spatial estimates of burned area exhibited a fairly satisfactory agreement with the reference data, reaching an average of 78% in detection rate. MCD64A1 C6 exhibited a more consistent spatial performance overall and better temporal accuracy, whereas FireCCI51 did not substantially outperform the former despite its finer resolution. Additional research is required for a more rigorous assessment of the variability of these burned area products, yet this research provides further insight and has implications for their use in fire-related applications at the local to the national scale.
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Liu, Xiaoyu, Xugang Lian, Wenfu Yang, Fan Wang, Yu Han, and Yafei Zhang. "Accuracy Assessment of a UAV Direct Georeferencing Method and Impact of the Configuration of Ground Control Points." Drones 6, no. 2 (January 20, 2022): 30. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/drones6020030.
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Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can obtain high-resolution topography data flexibly and efficiently at low cost. However, the georeferencing process involves the use of ground control points (GCPs), which limits time and cost effectiveness. Direct georeferencing, using onboard positioning sensors, can significantly improve work efficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-assisted UAV direct georeferencing method and the influence of the number and distribution of GCPs. A FEIMA D2000 UAV was used to collect data, and several photogrammetric projects were established. Among them, the number and distribution of GCPs used in the bundle adjustment (BA) process were varied. Two parameters were considered when evaluating the different projects: the ground-measured checkpoints (CPs) root mean square error (RMSE) and the Multiscale Model to Model Cloud Comparison (M3C2) distance. The results show that the vertical and horizontal RMSE of the direct georeferencing were 0.087 and 0.041 m, respectively. As the number of GCPs increased, the RMSE gradually decreased until a specific GCP density was reached. GCPs should be uniformly distributed in the study area and contain at least one GCP near the center of the domain. Additionally, as the distance to the nearest GCP increased, the local accuracy of the DSM decreased. In general, UAV direct georeferencing has an acceptable positional accuracy level.
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Harahap, Maryam Latifah, Fatimah, Cut Khairunnisah Harahap, Ayu Ariana, and Aisyah Siregar. "Implementation of Continuity of Care in New Born and Toddlers in the Era of the Covid 19 Pandemic In Napa Village, Angkola Selatan District, Tapanuli Selatan Regency." International Journal of Community Service (IJCS) 1, no. 2 (December 30, 2022): 243–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.55299/ijcs.v2i1.287.
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Medium Indonesian face disaster non-nature national Covid-19 so that service maternal and neonatal health to be wrong one affected services impact good in a manner access nor quality. order mother and baby permanent could always get care continuous During period pandemic, then as power health especially midwife could conducted care sustainable midwifery (Continuity of care) on Mother and family. On period pandemic this power health must more innovative in carry out care to family , however permanent must notice protocol health related Covid-19 in give care on mother especially newborns (BBL) and ba lita. The goal to be achieved in activity this is for ensure that Mother accept all his upbringing from one midwife or team in practice, also for know the definition, benefits, implementation and for increase tkan number level more health good on newborns (BBL) to toddlers, healthy physical and grow as well as develop normally in the era pandemic C ovid-19. The method used with do surveys and interview for data collection, data analysis, data presentation , formulating discussion and next given communication, information and education (KIE) conducted with 2 method , that is online with use including applications SMS, zoom, WA and application other . And the direct way is to hold counseling by complying with health protocols.
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Chen, Chieh-Li, Rong He, and Chao-Chung Peng. "Development of an Online Adaptive Parameter Tuning vSLAM Algorithm for UAVs in GPS-Denied Environments." Sensors 22, no. 20 (October 21, 2022): 8067. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s22208067.
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In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been applied in many fields owing to their mature flight control technology and easy-to-operate characteristics. No doubt, these UAV-related applications rely heavily on location information provided by the positioning system. Most UAVs nowadays use a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) to obtain location information. However, this outside-in 3rd party positioning system is particularly susceptible to environmental interference and cannot be used in indoor environments, which limits the application diversity of UAVs. To deal with this problem, in this paper, a stereo-based visual simultaneous localization and mapping technology (vSLAM) is applied. The presented vSLAM algorithm fuses onboard inertial measurement unit (IMU) information to further solve the navigation problem in an unknown environment without the use of a GNSS signal and provides reliable localization information. The overall visual positioning system is based on the stereo parallel tracking and mapping architecture (S-PTAM). However, experiments found that the feature-matching threshold has a significant impact on positioning accuracy. Selection of the threshold is based on the Hamming distance without any physical meaning, which makes the threshold quite difficult to set manually. Therefore, this work develops an online adaptive matching threshold according to the keyframe poses. Experiments show that the developed adaptive matching threshold improves positioning accuracy. Since the attitude calculation of the IMU is carried out based on the Mahony complementary filter, the difference between the measured acceleration and the gravity is used as the metric to online tune the gain value dynamically, which can improve the accuracy of attitude estimation under aggressive motions. Moreover, a static state detection algorithm based on the moving window method and measured acceleration is proposed as well to accurately calculate the conversion mechanism between the vSLAM system and the IMU information; this initialization mechanism can help IMU provide a better initial guess for the bundle adjustment algorithm (BA) in the tracking thread. Finally, a performance evaluation of the proposed algorithm is conducted by the popular EuRoC dataset. All the experimental results show that the developed online adaptive parameter tuning algorithm can effectively improve the vSLAM accuracy and robustness.
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Du, Pengfei, Donghao Huang, Bing Liu, and Wei Qin. "Using Source Fingerprinting Techniques to Investigate Sediment Sources during Snowmelt and Rainfall Erosion Events in a Small Catchment in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China." Land 12, no. 3 (February 23, 2023): 542. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/land12030542.
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Concern for the offsite impact of eroded sediment and the need to develop effective catchment sediment management strategies has directed attention to the need for an improved understanding of the primary sediment sources within catchments and the potential of sediment source fingerprinting techniques to provide such information. The study reported here was undertaken in the black soil region of Northeast China, where soil erosion is seen as a serious threat to the sustainable use of soil resources and offsite impacts of eroded soil are also concerned. The study applies source fingerprinting techniques to the evaluation of sediment sources in a small (3.46 km2) agricultural catchment. Sediment sources from five snowmelt and five rainfall events of varying magnitude were contrasted. Three key potential sediment sources were identified within the study catchment: gullies, cultivated topsoil and uncultivated topsoil. Geochemical properties of the source materials (Ti, Ga, Br and Ba) were used as composite fingerprints capable of discriminating between the three potential sources. A mixing model, optimized using a genetic algorithm and coupled with a Monte Carlo procedure to quantify the uncertainty associated with the resulting estimates, was used for source apportionment. The results indicated mean source contributions for the set of 10 events for cultivated topsoil, uncultivated topsoil and the gullies of ~30%, ~10% and ~60%, respectively. In general, snowmelt and rainfall events were characterized by increased contributions from gully sources and cultivated topsoil, respectively. The study is seen as demonstrating the potential for using source tracing techniques to investigate sediment sources in environments where strong seasonal contrasts between snowmelt and rainfall events exist.
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Maphuhla, Nontobeko Gloria, Francis Bayo Lewu, and Opeoluwa Oyehan Oyedeji. "Enzyme Activities in Reduction of Heavy Metal Pollution from Alice Landfill Site in Eastern Cape, South Africa." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 19 (September 23, 2022): 12054. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912054.
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Heavy metals are unbreakable, and most of them are poisonous to animals and people. Metals are particularly concerning among environmental contaminants since they are less apparent, have extensive effects on ecosystems, are poisonous, and bioaccumulate in ecosystems, biological tissues, and organs. Therefore, there is a need to use biological agents and phytoremediation processes such as enzymes because they have a high potential for effectively transforming and detoxifying polluting substances. They can convert pollutants at a detectable rate and are potentially suitable for restoring polluted environments. We investigated heavy metal concentrations in different soil samples collected in four sections in Alice and determined the enzyme activity levels present in the soil. The Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to check whether there was any relationship between heavy metal concentrations and enzyme activities in the soil. Samples were randomly collected in three weeks, and the microwave digestion method was used for sample treatment and preparation. Quantitation was achieved by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The enzyme assay through incubation method was implemented for discovering the four selected enzymes (urease, invertase, catalase, and phosphatase), and their activity levels were examined colorimetrically by colorimetry spectrophotometer. The ICP-MS results revealed 16 predominating elements, namely: Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn, and the presence of a non-mental, which is phosphorus (P), and a metalloid in the form of silicon (Si) in all soil samples. Significant differences in metal concentrations were observed among the collection sites. The Al, Fe, K, Mg, and Ca concentrations were above WHO’s permissible limits. While Ba, Mn, Na, and P were in moderate concentration, Cu, Cr, Co, Zn, Sr, and Ni were in small amounts recorded mostly below the permissible values from WHO. Four soil enzyme activities were determined successfully (urease, invertase, phosphatase, and catalase). A negative non-significant correlation existed between urease, invertase, phosphatase enzyme activity, and the concentration levels of all selected metals (Al, Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Cr, Sr, and Zn. In contrast, the content of catalase activity was associated non-significantly but positively with the range of selected heavy metals. This study suggests proper monitoring of residences’ areas, which can provide detailed information on the impact of high heavy metal content on people’s health. They are easily dispersed and can accumulate in large quantities in the soil. The necessary implementation of waste management programs will help the municipality adopt a strategy that will promote recycling programs and protect the residence health from this threat.
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Łaźniewska-Piekarczyk, Beata, Monika Czop, and Dominik Smyczek. "The Comparison of the Environmental Impact of Waste Mineral Wool and Mineral in Wool-Based Geopolymer." Materials 15, no. 6 (March 10, 2022): 2050. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma15062050.
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Waste generated in fine wool production is homogeneous and without contamination, which increases its chances of reuse. Waste mineral wool from demolition sites belongs to the specific group of waste. However, the storage and collection require implementing restrictive conditions, such as improper storage of mineral wool, which is highly hazardous for the environment. The study focuses on the leachability of selected pollutants (pH, Cl−, SO42−) and heavy metals (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) from the waste mineral wool. As a solution to the problem of storing mineral wool waste, it was proposed to process it into wool-based geopolymer. The geopolymer, based on mineral wool, was also assessed regarding the leaching of selected impurities. Rock mineral wool is very good for geopolymerisation, but the glass wool needs to be completed with additional components rich in Al2O3. The research involved geopolymer prepared from mineral glass wool with bauxite and Al2O3. So far, glass wool with the mentioned additives has not been tested. An essential aspect of the article is checking the influence of wool-based geopolymer on the environment. To investigate the environmental effects of the wool-based monolith and crushed wool geopolymers were compared. Such research has not been conducted so far. For this purpose, water extracts from fragmented geopolymers were made, and tests were carried out following EN 12457-4. There is no information in the literature on the influence of geopolymer on the environment, which is an essential aspect of its possible use. The research results proved that the geopolymer made on the base of mineral wool meets the environmental requirements, except for the pH value. As mentioned in the article, the geopolymerisation process requires the dissolution of the starting material in a high pH (alkaline) solution. On the other hand, the pH minimum 11.2 value of fresh geopolymer binder is required to start geopolymerisation. Moreover, research results analysed in the literature showed that the optimum NaOH concentration is 8 M. for the highest compressive strength of geopolymer. Therefore, the geopolymer strength decreases with NaO concentration in the NaOH solution. Geopolymers glass wool-based mortars with Al2O3 obtained an average compressive strength of 59, the geopolymer with bauxite achieved about 51 MPa. Thus, Al2O3 is a better additional glass wool-based geopolymer than bauxite. The average compressive strength of rock wool-based geopolymer mortar was about 62 MPa. The average compressive strength of wool-based geopolymer binder was about 20–25 MPa. It was observed that samples of geopolymers grout without aggregate participation are characterised by cracking and deformation.
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Burroughs, Heather, Bernadette Bartlam, Peter Bullock, Karina Lovell, Reuben Ogollah, Mo Ray, Peter Bower, et al. "Non-traditional support workers delivering a brief psychosocial intervention for older people with anxiety and depression: the NOTEPAD feasibility study." Health Services and Delivery Research 7, no. 25 (July 2019): 1–120. http://dx.doi.org/10.3310/hsdr07250.
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BackgroundAnxiety and depression often coexist in older people. These disorders are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, and are associated with increased use of health and social care services, and raised mortality. Barriers to diagnosis include the reluctance of older people to present to their general practitioner (GP) with mood symptoms because of the stigma they perceive about mental health problems, and because the treatments offered are not acceptable to them.ObjectivesTo refine a community-based psychosocial intervention for older people with anxiety and/or depression so that it can be delivered by non-traditional providers such, as support workers (SWs), in the third sector. To determine whether or not SWs can be trained to deliver this intervention to older people with anxiety and/or depression. To test procedures and determine if it is feasible to recruit and randomise patients, and to conduct a process evaluation to provide essential information to inform a randomised trial.DesignThree phases, all informed by a patient and public involvement and engagement group. Qualitative work with older people and third-sector providers, plus a consensus group to refine the intervention, training, SW manuals and patient participant materials (phase 1). Recruitment and training of SWs (phase 2). Feasibility study to test recruitment procedures and assess fidelity of delivery of the intervention; and interviews with study participants, SWs and GPs to assess acceptability of the intervention and impact on routine care (phase 3).SettingNorth Staffordshire, in collaboration with Age UK North Staffordshire.InterventionA psychosocial intervention, comprising one-to-one contact between older people with anxiety and/or depression and a SW employed by Age UK North Staffordshire, based on the principles of behavioural activation (BA), with encouragement to participate in a group activity.ResultsInitial qualitative work contributed to refinement of the psychosocial intervention. Recruitment (and retention) of the SWs was possible; the training, support materials and manual were acceptable to them, and they delivered the intervention as intended. Recruitment of practices from which to recruit patients was possible, but the recruitment target (100 patients) was not achieved, with 38 older adults randomised. Retention at 4 months was 86%. The study was not powered to demonstrate differences in outcomes. Older people in the intervention arm found the sessions with SWs acceptable, although signposting to, and attending, groups was not valued by all participants. GPs recognised the need for additional care for older people with anxiety and depression, which they could not provide. Participation in the study did not have an impact on routine care, other than responding to the calls from the study team about risk of self-harm. GPs were not aware of the work done by SWs with patients.LimitationsTarget recruitment was not achieved.ConclusionsSupport workers recruited from Age UK employees can be recruited and trained to deliver an intervention, based on the principles of BA, to older people with anxiety and/or depression. The training and supervision model used in the study was acceptable to SWs, and the intervention was acceptable to older people.Future workFurther development of recruitment strategies is needed before this intervention can be tested in a fully powered randomised controlled trial.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN16318986.FundingThis project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full inHealth Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 7, No. 25. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.
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Haug, Severin, Raquel Paz Castro, Urte Scholz, Tobias Kowatsch, Michael Patrick Schaub, and Theda Radtke. "Assessment of the Efficacy of a Mobile Phone–Delivered Just-in-Time Planning Intervention to Reduce Alcohol Use in Adolescents: Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial." JMIR mHealth and uHealth 8, no. 5 (May 26, 2020): e16937. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/16937.
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Background Interventions to reduce alcohol use typically include several elements, such as information on the risks of alcohol consumption, planning for sensible drinking, and training of protective behavioral strategies. However, the effectiveness of these individual intervention elements within comprehensive programs has not been addressed so far, but it could provide valuable insights for the development of future interventions. Just-in-time interventions provided via mobile devices are intended to help people make healthy decisions in the moment and thus could influence health behavior. Objective The aim of this study was to test the proximal effects of a mobile phone–delivered, just-in-time planning intervention to reduce alcohol use in adolescents who reported recent binge drinking. The efficacy of this individual intervention element was tested within a comprehensive intervention program to reduce problem drinking in adolescents. Methods The study had an AB/BA crossover design, in which participants were randomly allocated to (1) a group receiving the planning intervention (A) in period 1 and assessment only (B) in period 2 or (2) a group receiving assessment only (B) in period 1 and the planning intervention (A) in period 2. The planning intervention included a text message to choose one of two predetermined if-then plans to practice sensible drinking with friends or when going out and a prompt to visualize the chosen plan. There was a washout period of at least 1 week between period 1 and period 2. Results Out of 633 program participants who recently binge drank, 136 (21.5%) were receptive in both periods of time and provided data on the proximal outcome, which was the number of alcoholic drinks consumed with friends or when going out. After the planning intervention, the number of alcoholic drinks consumed was approximately one standard drink lower compared with the finding without the intervention (P=.01). Conclusions A mobile phone–delivered, just-in-time, if-then planning intervention to practice sensible drinking with friends or when going out is effective in reducing alcohol consumption among adolescents who report recent binge drinking. Based on the relatively low percentage of participants with self-reported receptivity for the planning intervention, measures to increase the population impact of similar planning interventions should be implemented and tested in future trials. Trial Registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN52150713; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN52150713
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Cao, Guangming, and Yanqing Duan. "How do top- and bottom-performing companies differ in using business analytics?" Journal of Enterprise Information Management 30, no. 6 (October 9, 2017): 874–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jeim-04-2016-0080.
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Purpose Business analytics (BA) has attracted growing attention mainly due to the phenomena of big data. While studies suggest that BA positively affects organizational performance, there is a lack of academic research. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to examine the extent to which top- and bottom-performing companies differ regarding their use and organizational facilitation of BA. Design/methodology/approach Hypotheses are developed drawing on the information processing view and contingency theory, and tested using multivariate analysis of variance to analyze data collected from 117 UK manufacture companies. Findings Top- and bottom-performing companies differ significantly in their use of BA, data-driven environment, and level of fit between BA and data-drain environment. Practical implications Extensive use of BA and data-driven decisions will lead to superior firm performance. Companies wishing to use BA to improve decision making and performance need to develop relevant analytical strategy to guide BA activities and design its structure and business processes to embed BA activities. Originality/value This study provides useful management insights into the effective use of BA for improving organizational performance.
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Kalbe, Ute, and Franz-Georg Simon. "Potential Use of Incineration Bottom Ash in Construction: Evaluation of the Environmental Impact." Waste and Biomass Valorization 11, no. 12 (May 14, 2020): 7055–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12649-020-01086-2.
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AbstractKnowledge of the long-term leaching behavior of potentially harmful substances is crucial for the assessment of the environmental compatibility of reusing municipal solid-waste incineration bottom ash (MSWI BA) in construction, i.e., as a road base layer. BA fractions obtained from wet-processing aiming at the improvement of environmental quality were used to investigate the mobility of relevant substances. Eluates from laboratory-scaled leaching procedures (column percolation and lysimeters) were analyzed to learn about the long-term release of substances. Unsaturated conditions and artificial rainwater (AR) were used in the lysimeter tests to simulate field conditions. In addition, batch test eluates were generated at usual liquid-to-solid ratios (L/S) for compliance testing purposes. A variety of cations and anions was measured in the eluates. The wet treatment reduces the leaching of chloride and particularly sulfate by more than 60%. The release of typical contaminants for the treated MSWI BA such as the heavy metals Cu and Cr was well below 1% in the conducted leaching tests. An increase in the Sb concentration observed in the lysimeter experiments starting at L/S 0.75 L/kg and in the column experiment at L/S 4 L/kg is assumed to be related to decreasing concentrations of Ca and thus to the dissolution of sparingly soluble calcium antimonate. The same leaching mechanism applies with V, but the concentration levels observed are less critical regarding relevant limit values. However, on the long term the behavior of Sb could be problematic for the application of MSWI BA in construction. Graphic Abstract
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Han, Kyu-Tae, Dong Kim, Seung Kim, and Sun Kim. "Biological Age Is Associated with the Active Use of Nutrition Data." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 11 (November 1, 2018): 2431. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15112431.
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Purpose Biological age (BA) has recently emerged as a substitute for chronological age (CA), and many subjects seek to optimally control their BA. However, in South Korea, no study has adequately explored factors that affect BA, although individual health management is essential to preventing chronic diseases. In the present study, we focus on the use of health information, in particular nutrition facts, to control BA. Methods We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2010–2015; 26,914 eligible participants) using BA and age differences as outcome variables. We used multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between the use of nutrition data and differences in BA after adjusting for covariates. In addition, we used multiple linear regression to examine subgroup differences in such relationships. Results 12.8% of males and 27.5% of females used nutrition facts when deciding which foods to purchase. The more attention paid to such facts, the lower the BA and BA differences in both males and females (males: β = −2.646, females: β = −2.787, p < 0.05, for BA; males: β = −1.181, females, β = −2.161, p < 0.05, for BA differences). However, BA differences were more significant in subjects with chronic disease, obesity, and/or a family history of chronic disease. Conclusion High-level awareness of and active use of nutrition facts permitted effective self-management in preventing chronic disease and improving BA, particularly in subjects at higher risk for chronic disease. Thus, considering nutrition facts when deciding what to purchase is important.
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Pan, Lijun, Yangkun Xia, Lining Xing, Zhihang Song, and Yunbao Xu. "Exploring Use Acceptance of Electric Bicycle-Sharing Systems: An Empirical Study Based on PLS-SEM Analysis." Sensors 22, no. 18 (September 18, 2022): 7057. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/s22187057.
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The electric bicycle-sharing system (EBSS) is the fourth-generation urban shared bicycle travel system, which effectively improves the travel efficiency of urban residents and solve the problem of urban congestion. This study attempts to use an extended technology acceptance model (TAM) method to study the acceptance of EBSSs. We had introduced four potential variables, including perceived pleasure (PP), perceived environmental value (PEV), perceived cost (PC), and perceived reliability (PR), into the classic TAM to form a new EBSS-TAM. Data were obtained by using a Likert scale questionnaire from 399 citizens in China. Partial least-squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with reflective constructs was employed as the analysis method. The results showed that: (1) the EBSS-TAM can explain user behaviors regarding the use of EBSSs. PP has a positive impact on behavior attitude (BA) while having no impact on behavior intention (BI). PEV has no impact on BA and BI. PC has a negative impact on BA and has no impact on BI. PR has a positive impact on BA while having no impact on BI. Perceived ease of use (PEU) has a positive impact on PP and PEV. (2) Younger users (under 35 years old) are more likely to change from liking CBSSs to using EBSSs than older users are. Male users are more satisfied with EBSSs because of their ease of use. The users who never used CBSSs are more likely to perceive the environmental protection value of EBSSs. Some managerial implications were proposed for the EBSSs.
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Hazera, Alejandro, Carmen Quirvan, and Salvador Marin-Hernandez. "The impact of guaranteed bailout assistance on bank loan overstatement." International Journal of Managerial Finance 12, no. 2 (April 4, 2016): 177–210. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ijmf-04-2014-0046.
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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight how the basic binomial option pricing model (BOPM) might be used by regulators to help formulate rules, prior to financial crisis, that help prevent loan overstatement by banks in emerging market economies undergoing financial crises. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on the theory of soft budget constraints (SBC) to construct a simple model in which banks overstate loans to minimize losses. The model is used to illustrate how guarantees of bailout assistance (BA) (to banks) by crisis stricken countries’ financial authorities may encourage banks to overstate loans and delay the implementation of IFRS for loan valuation. However, the model also illustrates how promises of BA may be depicted as binomial put options which provide banks with the option of either: reporting loan values on poor projects accurately and receiving the loans’ liquidation values; or, overstating loans and receiving the guaranteed BA. An illustration is also provided of how authorities may use this representation to help minimize bank loan overstatement in periods of financial crisis. In order to provide an illustration of how the option value of binomial assistance may evolve during a financial crisis, the model is generalized to the Mexican financial crisis of the late 1990s. During this period, Mexican authorities’ guarantees of BA to the nation’s largest banks encouraged those institutions to overstate loans and delay the implementation of (previously adopted) international “best practices” based loan valuation standards. Findings – Application of the model to the Mexican financial crisis provides evidence that, in spite of Mexico’s “official” 1997 adoption of international “best accounting practices” for banks, “iron clad” guarantees of BA by the country’s financial authorities to Mexico’s largest banks provided those institutions with an incentive to knowingly overstate loans in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Research limitations/implications – The model is compared against only one country in which the BA was directly infused into banks’ loan portfolios. Thus, as conceived, it is directly applicable to crisis countries in which the bailout took this form. However, the many quantitative variations of SBC models as well as recent studies which have applied the binomial model to other forms of bailout (e.g. direct purchases of bank shares by authorities) suggest that the model could be modified to accommodate different bailout scenarios. Practical implications – The model and application show that guaranteed BA can be viewed as a put option and that ex-ante regulatory policies based on the correct valuation of the BA as a binomial option might prevent banks from overstating loans. Social implications – Use of the binomial or similar approaches to valuing BA may help regulators to determine the level of BA that will not encourage banks to overstate the value of their loans. Originality/value – Recent research has used the BOPM to value, on an ex-post basis, the BA which appears on the balance sheet of institutions which have been rescued. However, little research has advocated the use of this type of model to help prevent, on an ex-ante basis, the overstatement of loans on poor projects.
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Boepple, P. A., M. J. Mansfield, K. Link, J. D. Crawford, J. F. Crigler, D. C. Kushner, R. M. Blizzard, and W. F. Crowley. "Impact of sex steroids and their suppression on skeletal growth and maturation." American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism 255, no. 4 (October 1, 1988): E559—E566. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.1988.255.4.e559.
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Forty girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) were studied before and during 1-3 yr of luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LHRH) agonist (LHRHa) administration to examine the impact of gonadal steroid secretion and its suppression on skeletal growth and maturation. Pubertal growth velocity (GV) was 10.1 +/- 0.7 (SE) cm/yr and, when normalized for chronological age (CA) and bone age (BA), demonstrated that the effects of sex steroids were most profound in patients with the youngest CA and BA. GV decreased significantly to 5.8 +/- 0.3 (n = 40), 4.6 +/- 0.3 (n = 30), and 3.2 +/- 0.6 cm/yr (n = 12) during 3 yr of gonadal suppression and correlated negatively with starting BA. Skeletal maturation was markedly accelerated by premature sex steroid secretion (BA/CA = 1.8 +/- 0.1), was slowed significantly with gonadal suppression (mean delta BA/delta CA less than 1), and also was negatively correlated with the starting BA. Cumulative increases in predicted adult height were observed regardless of starting BA and averaged +2.0 +/- 0.4, +5.2 +/- 0.5, and +6.7 +/- 1.2 cm after 1, 2, and 3 yr of gonadal suppression. The comparable changes in height predictions across all BAs despite highly variable GVs underscore the need for use of developmental (i.e., BA-based) rather than CA-based standards in the analysis of growth during gonadal steroid exposure and suppression in childhood.
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Chen, Xiaofeng, and Keng Siau. "Business Analytics/Business Intelligence and IT Infrastructure." Journal of Organizational and End User Computing 32, no. 4 (October 2020): 138–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/joeuc.2020100107.
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This is an empirical research investigating the impact of business analytics (BA) and business intelligence (BI) use, IT infrastructure flexibility, and their interactions on organizational agility. Synthesizing the systems theory and awareness-motivation-capability framework, the authors propose that BA-Use, IT infrastructure flexibility, and their interactions significantly influence organizational agility. The results show the significant association of BA use and IT infrastructure flexibility with organizational agility. The results also suggest that BA use may demand corporations to build a more flexible IT infrastructure. However, the data does not reveal the proposed interaction between the two drivers of organizational agility.
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Coltman, Tim, Timothy M. Devinney, and David F. Midgley. "Customer Relationship Management and Firm Performance." Journal of Information Technology 26, no. 3 (September 2011): 205–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/jit.2010.39.
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In this paper, we examine the impact of customer relationship management (CRM) on firm performance using a hierarchical construct model. Following the resource-based view of the firm, strategic CRM is conceptualized as an endogenously determined function of the organization's ability to harness and orchestrate lower-order capabilities that comprise physical assets, such as IT infrastructure, and organizational capabilities, such as human analytics (HA) and business architecture (BA). Our results reveal a positive and significant path between a superior CRM capability and firm performance. In turn, superior CRM capability is positively associated with HA and BA. However, our results suggest that the impact of IT infrastructure on superior CRM capability is indirect and fully mediated by HA and BA. We also find that CRM initiatives jointly emphasizing customer intimacy and cost reduction outperform those taking a less balanced approach. Overall, this paper helps explain why some CRM programs are more successful than others and what capabilities are required to support success.
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Daradkeh, Mohammad. "Business Analytics and Collaborative Innovation Performance in the ICT Sector." International Journal of E-Entrepreneurship and Innovation 12, no. 2 (July 1, 2022): 1–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijeei.314465.
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This study aims to investigate the impact of business analytics (BA) capabilities on collaborative innovation, which involves the exchange of ideas and knowledge with external sources on digital innovation platforms. Based on the resource-based view (RBV), BA capabilities were divided into three dimensions: tangible, personal, and intangible. A research model is then developed to describe the relationships among BA capabilities, collaborative innovation capabilities, and collaborative innovation performance. To test the model, data were collected through a questionnaire survey from 167 companies and analyzed using structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results show that BA tangible capabilities have a positive impact on BA personal and intangible capabilities. Both BA personal and intangible capabilities are positively associated with collaborative innovation capability, which in turn was found to be a strong predictor of collaborative innovation performance. These results demonstrate the positive influence of BA in driving collaborative innovation performance.
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Vasarevičius, Saulius, Jurgita Seniūnaitė, and Vaidotas Vaišis. "Impact of Natural Weathering on Stabilization of Heavy Metals (Cu, Zn, and Pb) in MSWI Bottom Ash." Applied Sciences 12, no. 7 (March 28, 2022): 3419. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/app12073419.
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Bottom ash (BA) is the main residue left by municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI). As the circular economy is strengthened, the use of BA in civil engineering is increasing, but its successful use is hampered by heavy metal leaching. In this study, we investigated the influence of natural weathering (6 months) on the stabilization of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, and Pb) with different particle sizes in MSWI BA. Natural weathering is the most popular and cost-effective treatment method for BA. During this process, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is produced, which causes a reduction in heavy metal leaching. We used the following methods in the analysis: The fractionation of BA, XRF, and XRD; an extraction test (LST EN 12457-2:2003); and AAS. The results showed that the concentrations of all elements in BA decreased during natural weathering. An analysis of the mineralogical composition showed a very high (>20%) content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The calcium carbonate content increased by 3.2% during weathering because the Ca(OH)2 in fractions <5.6 mm and <40.0 mm was hydrolyzed to CaCO3. Our analysis showed that the metal concentrations (Cu and Pb) in untreated MSWI bottom ash eluate exceeded the limit values, and thus it cannot be used in civil engineering. After three months of stabilization, the heavy metal concentrations were less than the limit values.
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Singh, Janmejay, Anbalagan Anantharaj, Aleksha Panwar, Chitra Rani, Monika Bhardwaj, Parveen Kumar, Partha Chattopadhyay, et al. "BA.1, BA.2 and BA.2.75 variants show comparable replication kinetics, reduced impact on epithelial barrier and elicit cross-neutralizing antibodies." PLOS Pathogens 19, no. 2 (February 24, 2023): e1011196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011196.
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The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is capable of infecting unvaccinated, vaccinated and previously-infected individuals due to its ability to evade neutralization by antibodies. With multiple sub-lineages of Omicron emerging in the last 12 months, there is inadequate information on the quantitative antibody response generated upon natural infection with Omicron variant and whether these antibodies offer cross-protection against other sub-lineages of Omicron variant. In this study, we characterized the growth kinetics of Kappa, Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 in Calu-3 cells. Relatively higher amounts infectious virus titers, cytopathic effect and disruption of epithelial barrier functions was observed with Delta variant whereas infection with Omicron sub-lineages led to a more robust induction of interferon pathway, lower level of virus replication and mild effect on epithelial barrier. The replication kinetics of BA.1, BA.2 and BA.2.75 sub-lineages of the Omicron variant were comparable in cell culture and natural infection in a subset of individuals led to a significant increase in binding and neutralizing antibodies to the Delta variant and all the three sub-lineages of Omicron but the level of neutralizing antibodies were lowest against the BA.2.75 variant. Finally, we show that Cu2+, Zn2+ and Fe2+ salts inhibited in vitro RdRp activity but only Cu2+ and Fe2+ inhibited both the Delta and Omicron variants in cell culture. Thus, our results suggest that high levels of interferons induced upon infection with Omicron variant may counter virus replication and spread. Waning neutralizing antibody titers rendered subjects susceptible to infection by Omicron variants and natural Omicron infection elicits neutralizing antibodies that can cross-react with other sub-lineages of Omicron and other variants of concern.
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Nian, Fuzhong, and Kai Gao. "Evolution of node impact based on secondary propagation." Modern Physics Letters B 34, no. 02 (December 6, 2019): 2050027. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s021798492050027x.
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In real life, the propagation ability of the information disseminator is one of the important factors which is determined to propagate information. The influence of the node, which is altered with time, is proposed to reflect the propagation ability of the information disseminator for the significance of the information propagation in the actual situation in this paper. Therefore, the influence of the node is divided into the high-impact node and the low-impact node. Furthermore, the SSIR information propagation model is proposed and the dynamic BA scale-free network is constructed to carry out evolution of node impact based on secondary propagation experiments. The experiment results indicate three stages, including the initial stage, the rapidly rising stage and the stable stage. The propagation details of the different messages are distinct. However, the trend of propagation is similar.
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Shanks, Graeme, Nargiza Bekmamedova, and Leslie Willcocks. "Using Business Analytics for Strategic Alignment and Organisational Transformation." International Journal of Business Intelligence Research 4, no. 3 (July 2013): 1–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/ijbir.2013070101.
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Organisations use business analytics (BA) systems to create value and provide competitive advantage. They frequently use BA systems to respond quickly to market changes and customer demand, and for market differentiation with better customer service and new types of products and services. The authors argue that BA systems can also enable alignment between business strategy and information technology (IT) strategy and support organisational transformation. The authors use a single case study to explain how a global data warehouse, standardized metrics and sophisticated reporting capabilities supported the strategic transformation of a diversified and multi-layered international mining company into a unified and integrated global organisation. They identify a number of core technology, management, culture, governance and people related capabilities that were crucial to the success of the global transformation initiative. Two important implications of the case study are the importance of BA systems in the alignment of IT and business strategy and the synergistic interaction of BA systems and other organizational resources in achieving benefits.
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Suhartini, Sri, Reny Nurul Utami, Evi Kurniati, Laura Listy Simamora, Catherine Abigail Utomo Putri, Baskorohadi Supartono, and Lynsey Melville. "Potential use of coal ash as growing media: Effect on the plant’s growth and future estimation for land reclamation." Advances in Food Science, Sustainable Agriculture and Agroindustrial Engineering 5, no. 1 (July 31, 2022): 77–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.21776/ub.afssaae.2022.005.01.7.
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Coal ash, such as fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA) is mostly generated from a Coal-fired Steam Power Generation (PLTU) process. An increase in the number of PLTUs in Indonesia is proportional to the high volume of FA and BA generated, causing adverse environmental impacts if not properly treated. Various studies have highlighted the potential valorization of FA and BA, including building materials, cement ingredients, concrete, and growing media. This study aimed to evaluate the potential use of FA and BA as a growing media and to explore the potential future application for reclamation of heavy-metal-contaminated (or ex-mining) land. The results showed that composting FA with blackwater sludge (BWS) and rice straw (RS) produced compost that complied with the targeted standard. The addition of FA, BA, and composted FA in the growing media impact the growth and Zn adsorption ability of the dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott). However, the composted FA has superior performance in general as a growing media. The future estimation of the application FA and BA combined with domestic waste (blackwater and greywater) for reclamation of ex-mining land is proposed. By integrating the phytoremediation ability of the grass plants and the biorefinery approach, the proposed future estimation may provide a sustainable valorization pathway of FA and BA for heavy metal-contaminated or ex-mining land reclamation. Thus, transforming FA and BA as a component of growing media could reduce the potential risk of heavy metals distribution into the food chain and the surrounding environment.
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Nuñez Asomoza, Alejandra. "Students’ Perceptions of the Impact of CLIL in a Mexican BA Program." PROFILE Issues in Teachers' Professional Development 17, no. 2 (July 1, 2015): 111–24. http://dx.doi.org/10.15446/profile.v17n2.47065.
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<p>Content and language integrated learning is an innovative pedagogical approach used in educational institutions worldwide. This study considers information and experiences from various settings in order to explore content and language integrated learning within the Mexican context. This study reports the perceptions of students in a BA program. Through the study’s using qualitative research, the students’ voices students reveal their emotions, struggles, benefits, and opinions related to taking content and language integrated learning classes. The analysis of the participants’ information shows the potential for implementing content and language integrated learning programs in Mexico in that it suggests some areas of improvement for teachers, material design, administrators, and institutions in general.</p><p>El enfoque pedagógico de enseñanza de contenido-lengua integrados es una tendencia innovadora en los sistemas educativos del mundo. El estudio se basa en la información y experiencia de varios contextos donde se ha usado este enfoque para explorarlo en el contexto mexicano. El artículo reporta las percepciones de estudiantes de licenciatura para conocer más sobre la enseñanza de contenido-lengua integrados. A través de la investigación cualitativa, las voces de los estudiantes revelarán las emociones, dificultades, ventajas y opiniones al tomar clases con este enfoque. El análisis de datos muestra el potencial de la implementación de programas de enseñanza de contenido-lengua integrados en México, mientras sugiere áreas de oportunidad para docentes, diseño de materiales, administrativos e instituciones en general.</p>
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Kumar, Jitendra, and Priya Soni Khare. "ICT: USE, VIEWS AND IMPACT." SCHOLARLY RESEARCH JOURNAL FOR HUMANITY SCIENCE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE 10, no. 53 (September 1, 2022): 13464–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.21922/srjhsel.v10i53.11648.
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The end of the twentieth century is marked by change, of revolutionary scope and scale, characterized by a series of transformations, such as technological convergence and world-wide media coverage, not to mention the globalization of their content. These in turn are leading the way to a true revolution, based on information and knowledge. This change is of immense significance, for they imply a break with the past, heralding a new era of economic, social and cultural development fundamentally different from anything that has gone before. Information now plays an increasingly important part in economic, social, cultural and political life. This phenomenon is taking place regardless of a country's size, state of development, or political philosophy. The origin of these far reaching changes is to be found in the diffusion of information, through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and its progress is speeded up by the digital revolution and the convergence of the computer, telecommunication and audio visual industries.
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Thai, Tran Thanh, Nguyen Le Que Lam, Nguyen Thi My Yen, Ngo Xuan Quang, and Ann Vanreusel. "BIODIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS OF FREE-LIVING NEMATODES COMMUNITIES IN BALAI RIVER, BENTRE PROVINCE." Vietnam Journal of Science and Technology 56, no. 2 (April 12, 2018): 224. http://dx.doi.org/10.15625/2525-2518/56/2/10667.
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Nematodes communities in Ba Lai river, Ben Tre province were investigated in September of 2015 (eight stations from estuary to upstream). The results showed that the nematodes communities have characterized by high density and biodiversity, providing useful information of nematodes assemblages in freshwater habitas, in particular inland river. Also the results indicated that the distribution of nematodes communities in Ba Lai river was strongly discriminated between in and outside of dam with two groups. The Ba Lai dam may be reasons for cause the nematodes distribution discontinuity. Present study is a pioneering attempt to record the impact of the dam on benthic-invertebrate in Vietnam.
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Noda, Chifuru, John S. McKillop, Mark A. Johnson, Janet R. Waldeck, and Richard N. Zare. "Information on the impact parameter dependence of the Ba+HI → BaI(ν=8)+H reaction." Journal of Chemical Physics 85, no. 2 (July 15, 1986): 856–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.451293.
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Sappa, Giuseppe, Silvia Iacurto, Adelaide Ponzi, Fabio Tatti, Vincenzo Torretta, and Paolo Viotti. "The LCA Methodology for Ceramic Tiles Production by Addition of MSWI BA." Resources 8, no. 2 (May 11, 2019): 93. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/resources8020093.
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Integrated waste management and sustainable use of natural resources are the basis of the Green Economy. In this context, the management of the Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Bottom Ashes (MSWI BA) is one of the current issues worldwide. This paper presents an application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedure to the industrial production of ceramic tiles using bottom ashes in the mixture together with feldspathic sands and clays. The comparison between ashes and traditional mixture showed a similar mineralogical and rheological composition. In the reported procedure the MSWI BA, after storage, were treated to separate and recover metals. The residual ashes were added to the mixture and then they followed the traditional industrial production cycle. Samples of the different materials were taken during the experimental industrial activity and leaching tests were carried out to verify the environmental compatibility of MSWI BA use to produce ceramic tiles. The results of the LCA show large environmental and energy benefits related to the proposed reuse of BA. Metal recovery and lower use of clay in traditional mixture avoids emission of substances with a negative potential impact for environment. This study provides a sustainable alternative to the MSWI BA final disposal in landfill as MSWI BA are hazardous wastes that present complicated management and high disposal costs.
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Kytikova, O. Yu, M. V. Antonyuk, B. I. Gel'tser, E. E. Mineeva, and T. A. Gvozdenko. "Small respiratory passages dysfunction in bronchial asthma." Russian Pulmonology 29, no. 6 (February 27, 2020): 725–33. http://dx.doi.org/10.18093/0869-0189-2019-29-6-725-733.
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The small respiratory passages dysfunction (SRPD) is found in the vast majority of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). The SRPD is currently recognized as the important pathogenetic feature of BA. The purpose of this review is to analyze the current scientific knowledge about the poorly studied aspects of the small respiratory passages (SRR) participation in the development of pathological process in BA, as well as the impact of small bronchial dysfunction on the clinical course, the exacerbation frequency and the disease control. The importance of SRPD diagnostics in BA patients for optimal and timely treatment is discussed. The modern methods of RPD pathology diagnostics are described; their informative use in the comparative study aspect is considered.
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Prokhorov, N. I., V. I. Dontsov, Vyacheslav N. Krutko, and T. M. Khodykina. "BIOLOGICAL AGE AS A METHOD FOR ESTIMATING HEALTH LEVEL UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS (LITERATURE REVIEW)." Hygiene and sanitation 98, no. 7 (October 28, 2019): 761–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.18821/0016-9900-2019-98-7-761-765.
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The widespread formation of unfavorable environmental, the swiftness of modern life with large information and psycho-emotional loads and extremely natural and climatic cataclysms, as well as harmful addictions and wrong way of life of modern human, lead to the development of stress and disruption of the mechanisms of adaptation of the human body and its accelerated wear. This stimulates the development of research on the creation of new methods of integrated assessment of health and quantitative assessment of the aging processes of the body systems and the whole body, as well as the possibilities of new methods of risk assessment of climatic and environmentally related pathological and age-related diseases. The aim of the work was to consider the methodology of quantitative assessment of individual health and the rate of aging of the human body on the basis of the system index of Biological age (BA); description of its essence and structure, requirements for tests - biomarkers of aging used as the index of BA, definition of possibilities and scope of application of the BA method in modern practice of Biomedicine. The use of modern methods of scientific analysis - a systematic approach to the analysis of the processes of human aging and determine its quantitative side - the value of BA, allows a reasonable approach to the choice of the number of BM, to take into account their information content and precision, and the cost of diagnostics and availability for different users, to take into account the specific objectives of the researcher. The use of the index-partial BA allows individual approaching the choice of biomarkers and create personalized panels for the definition of BA programs for the prevention of aging in personalized preventive medicine. The complexity of the content and calculation of indices of BA requires automation and the use of methods of modern computer science and computer calculations and programs. For this purpose, we have created special computer software for diagnosing aging by calculating the BA indices with the possibility of choosing BM and automatic calculation of indicators and conclusions.
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Mercado, Jesús, Pablo León, Soluna Salles, Dolores Cortés, Lidia Yebra, Francisco Gómez-Jakobsen, Inma Herrera, et al. "Time Variability Patterns of Eutrophication Indicators in the Bay of Algeciras (South Spain)." Water 10, no. 7 (July 14, 2018): 938. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w10070938.
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In the Bay of Algeciras (BA), intensive urban and industrial activityis underway, which is potentially responsible for the release of significant quantities of nutrients. However, the assessment of the impact of these discharges is complex. Nutrient concentration in the surface layer is per se strongly variable due to the variability associated with the upwelling of nutrient-enriched deep Mediterranean water (MW), which in turn is regulated by atmospheric forcing. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of changes in the upwelling intensity on the load of nitrate and phosphate in the BA and to appraise their impact on chlorophyll a variability. Based on this analysis, the possible influence of the nutrients released from land-based sources is indirectly inferred. Data and samples collected during nine research cruises carried out in different seasonal cycle periods between 2010 and 2015 in the BA were analysed. The vertical variation of temperature and salinity indicates that the MW upwelling was favoured in spring, as occurred in other coastal areas of the northern Alboran Sea. However, principal component analysis conducted on physical and chemical data reveals that shifts in nutrients and chlorophyll a in the euphotic layer are poorly explained by changes in the upwelling intensity. Furthermore, during some of these research surveys (particularly in summer), chlorophyll a concentrations were higher in the BA as compared to a nearby coastal area also affected by MW upwelling. Scarce information about land-based pollution sources precludes quantitative analysis of the impact of nutrient loads on water quality; however, the available data suggest that the main source of allochthanous inorganic nitrogen over the period 2010–2015 in the BA was nitrate. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the high concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll a in BA in summer are a consequence of those discharges. Our study highlights the need of more exhaustive inventories of sewage and river discharges to adequately rate their impact in the BA.
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Iyaruk, Arsit, Panu Promputthangkoon, and Arun Lukjan. "Evaluating the Performance of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Cement and Biomass Bottom Ash for Use as Pavement Materials." Infrastructures 7, no. 5 (April 29, 2022): 66. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/infrastructures7050066.
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From the perspective of sustainable waste management and its environmental impact, waste biomass bottom ash (BA) remains problematic and challenging to use as a recycling material for civil engineering infrastructures. This study evaluated the performance of lateritic soil (LS), stabilized with cement and biomass BA, as a subbase material. BA has been considered a replacement material in LS prior to the introduction of hydraulic cement stabilization means. The geotechnical engineering tests comprised the modified Proctor test, the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, and the unconfined compression test. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests were conducted to investigate the mineralogical properties of the stabilized soil samples. The leachate test was performed with a permeability mold to measure the release of heavy metals. Finally, the benefits of using the stabilized subbase material were assessed using the mechanistic–empirical (M–E) pavement design approach. Based on the results obtained, the strength and stiffness characteristics of the stabilized soils indicate that the efficiency of the mix satisfied the Thailand highway specification. The admixture of 80% BA and 5% cement is suggested for use as a soil–cement subbase material for flexible pavements, due to its good engineering and environmental properties. The results of the M–E design demonstrate the effectiveness of the stabilized soil presented herein. The study’s outcomes are predicted to promote the utilization of waste BA as a promising pavement material.
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Agarwal, Shreya, Mark Zobeck, Clay T. Cohen, and Sarah E. Sartain. "Sars-Cov-2 Induced Endotheliopathy and the Impact on Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients." Blood 138, Supplement 1 (November 5, 2021): 3145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2021-153084.
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Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory illness caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus. Patients with COVID-19 infection can present with thrombosis in the setting of inflammation (thromboinflammation), presumably from endothelial dysfunction, or "endotheliopathy". Yu et al demonstrated in vitro that the spike protein subunit of SARS-COV2 acts as a potent activator of the alternative complement pathway (AP), one of three complement pathways within the innate immune system. Satyam et alreported the deposition of complement components on lung tissue of patients who succumbed to COVID-19, consistent with activation of classical and alternate pathways. These studies suggest complement dysregulation potentially causing endotheliopathy in COVID-19 patients. Thrombomodulin (TM) is an endothelial glycoprotein that plays two crucial roles in maintaining a healthy endothelium - as a natural anticoagulant and a negative regulator of complement. TM shed into the circulation due to endothelial injury can be measured in the plasma as soluble TM (sTM). Goshua et al showed elevated sTM in an adult cohort of patients with COVID-19. However, it is yet to be demonstrated if there is any correlation between endothelial injury and AP activation in COVID-19, or if either play a role in clinical outcome in the pediatric population. Objective: To 1) assess endothelial injury and AP activation in a cohort of critically ill pediatric patients with COVID-19 by measuring sTM and Ba (an AP activation product); 2) determine the correlation between endothelial injury and AP activation; and 3) analyze the utility of sTM and Ba in predicting pediatric clinical outcomes. Methods: We collected plasma samples of patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 between Dec 2, 2020 and Jan 22, 2021 at Texas Children's Hospital. For controls, we collected plasma samples from pediatric patients undergoing preoperative clearance, all at their baseline state of health. sTM levels and Ba levels were measured in plasma samples using commercially available TM and Ba ELISA kits. sTM greater than 7.6 ng/ml (based on the assay range in adults) and Ba greater than 1080 ng/ml (based on data from adult healthy controls) were considered elevated. Data regarding demographics, length of ICU stay, clinical indicators of end organ damage- mechanical ventilation, dialysis, use of vasopressors, ECMO, mortality were obtained retrospectively via chart review. Inclusion criteria included all patients with a positive SARS-COV2 PCR admitted to the ICU. Exclusion criteria was age greater than 21 years, pregnant female, patients with known inflammatory or complement-mediated disorders. Statistical analysis: For sTM and Ba levels between control and COVID-19 patients, mean +/- standard deviation was calculated and significance determined with an unpaired t-test. Fischer exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum and Pearson product-moment correlation tests were used for statistical analysis of clinical outcomes as appropriate. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 38 control patients and 33 COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Ba and sTM levels were both significantly higher in the COVID-19 pediatric patients compared to the controls (Fig. 1). Within the COVID-19 patient cohort, 61% (n=20) had elevated sTM and 42% (n=14) had elevated Ba levels. There was a moderately positive correlation between sTM and plasma Ba levels in the COVID-19 cohort (Fig. 2). Within the COVID-19 patients' cohort, though higher Ba levels were not associated with an increased rate of intubation, they were associated with an increased duration of mechanical ventilation (p=.039) for those intubated (Table 1). Elevated sTM was associated with increased vasopressor use (p=.011). Although other clinical outcome variables did not reach statistical significance likely owing to small numbers, overall trend indicated worse outcomes in patients with elevated sTM. Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that SARS-COV-2 activates AP and causes endothelial injury in children. The positive correlation between sTM and Ba suggest interplay between inflammation, coagulation and endotheliopathy supporting thromboinflammation in COVID-19. Higher sTM and Ba levels indicated worse clinical outcomes in children, but larger studies are needed to confirm our findings. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Sartain: Alexon Pharamaceuticals: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
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Grasso, Alessandra C., Margreet R. Olthof, Corné van Dooren, Miquel Roca, Margalida Gili, Marjolein Visser, Mieke Cabout, et al. "Effect of food-related behavioral activation therapy on food intake and the environmental impact of the diet: results from the MooDFOOD prevention trial." European Journal of Nutrition 59, no. 6 (October 23, 2019): 2579–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02106-1.
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Abstract Purpose Food-based dietary guidelines are proposed to not only improve diet quality, but to also reduce the environmental impact of diets. The aim of our study was to investigate whether food-related behavioral activation therapy (F-BA) applying Mediterranean-style dietary guidelines altered food intake and the environmental impact of the diet in overweight adults with subsyndromal symptoms of depression. Methods In total 744 adults who either received the F-BA intervention (F-BA group) or no intervention (control group) for 12 months were included in this analysis. Food intake data were collected through a food frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 6 and 12 months. Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), land use (LU), and fossil energy use (FEU) estimates from life-cycle assessments and a weighted score of the three (pReCiPe score) were used to estimate the environmental impact of each individual diet at each timepoint. Results The F-BA group reported increased intakes of vegetables (19.7 g/day; 95% CI 7.8–31.6), fruit (23.0 g/day; 9.4–36.6), fish (7.6 g/day; 4.6–10.6), pulses/legumes (4.0 g/day; 1.6–6.5) and whole grains (12.7 g/day; 8.0–17.5), and decreased intake of sweets/extras (− 6.8 g/day; − 10.9 to − 2.8) relative to control group. This effect on food intake resulted in no change in GHGE, LU, and pReCiPe score, but a relative increase in FEU by 1.6 MJ/day (0.8, 2.4). Conclusions A shift towards a healthier Mediterranean-style diet does not necessarily result in a diet with reduced environmental impact in a real-life setting. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. Number of identification: NCT02529423. August 2015.
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Huvila, Isto. "Use-Oriented Information and Knowledge Management: Information Production and Use Practices as an Element of the Value and Impact of Information." Journal of Information & Knowledge Management 18, no. 04 (December 2019): 1950046. http://dx.doi.org/10.1142/s0219649219500461.
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There is a broad consensus that better models for assessing the impact of information efforts are needed to inform information and knowledge management and digital preservation. In contrast to measuring the quality of information, less attention has been directed to the assessment of knowledge and information processes as its constituent. Using archaeology and archaeological information as a sample context, the aim of this conceptual paper is to probe in to the evaluation of the impact and usefulness of information by taking into account the practices of how it is produced, managed and used. On a basis of a review and discussion of earlier literature on the impact of information and evaluation and management of information in archaeology, it is proposed that a better understanding of how the impact of information unfolds as a part of its production, management and use could contribute to the development of infrastructures, repositories and procedures for the management of the preservation and use of these resources.
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Wang, Shuangyan, Yunfeng Deng, and Ying Li. "Improving short-term information spreading efficiency in scale-free networks by specifying top large-degree vertices as the initial spreaders." Royal Society Open Science 5, no. 11 (November 2018): 181137. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181137.
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The positive function of initially influential vertices could be exploited to improve spreading efficiency for short-term spreading in scale-free networks. However, the selection of initial spreaders depends on the specific scenes. The selection of initial spreaders needs to offer low complexity and low power consumption for short-term spreading. In this paper, we propose a selection strategy for efficiently spreading information by specifying a set of top large-degree vertices as the initially informed vertices. The essential idea behind the proposed selection strategy is to exploit the significant diffusion of the top large-degree vertices at the beginning of spreading. To evaluate the positive impact of initially influential vertices, we first build an information spreading model in the Barabási–Albert (BA) scale-free network; next, we design 54 comparative Monte Carlo experiments based on a benchmark strategy and the proposed selection strategy in different BA scale-free network structures. Experimental results indicate that (i) the proposed selection strategy can significantly improve spreading efficiency in the short-term spreading and (ii) both network size and number of hubs have a strong impact on spreading efficiency, while the number of initially informed vertices has a weak impact. The proposed selection strategy can be employed in short-term spreading, such as sending warnings or crisis information spreading or information spreading in emergency training or realistic emergency scenes.
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Jazuli, F., and K. E. Pyke. "The impact of baseline artery diameter on flow-mediated vasodilation: a comparison of brachial and radial artery responses to matched levels of shear stress." American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 301, no. 4 (October 2011): H1667—H1677. http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpheart.00487.2011.
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An inverse relationship between baseline artery diameter (BAD) and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) has been identified using reactive hyperemia (RH) to create a shear stress (SS) stimulus in human conduit arteries. However, RH creates a SS stimulus that is inversely related to BAD. The purpose of this study was to compare FMD in response to matched levels of SS in two differently sized upper limb arteries [brachial (BA) and radial (RA) artery]. With the use of exercise, three distinct, shear rate (SR) stimuli were created (SR = blood velocity/vessel diameter; estimate of SS) in the RA and BA. Artery diameter and mean blood velocity were assessed with echo and Doppler ultrasound in 15 healthy male subjects (19–25 yr). Data are means ± SE. Subjects performed 6 min of adductor pollicis and handgrip exercise to increase SR in the RA and BA, respectively. Exercise intensity was modulated to achieve uniformity in SR between arteries. The three distinct SR levels were as follows: steady-state exercise 39.8 ± 0.6, 57.3 ± 0.7, and 72.4 ± 1.2 s−1 ( P < 0.001). %FMD and AbsFMD (mm) at the end of exercise were greater in the RA vs. the BA at each shear level [at the highest level: RA = 15.7 ± 1.5%, BA = 5.4 ± 0.8% ( P < 0.001)]. The mean slope of the within-subject SR-%FMD regression line was greater in the RA (RA = 0.33 ± 0.04, BA = 0.13 ± 0.02, P < 0.001), and a strong within-subjects relationship between %FMD and SR was observed in both arteries (RA: r2 = 0.92 ± 0.02; BA: r2 = 0.90 ± 0.03). Within the RA, there was a significant relationship between baseline diameter and %FMD; however, this relationship was not present in the BA (RA: r2 = 0.76, P < 0.001; BA: r2 = 0.03, P = 0.541). These findings suggest that the response to SS is not uniform across differently sized vessels, which is in agreement with previous studies.
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Smith, Charles R., Patrick S. Harty, Richard A. Stecker, and Chad M. Kerksick. "A Pilot Study to Examine the Impact of Beta-Alanine Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance in Collegiate Rugby Athletes." Sports 7, no. 11 (November 7, 2019): 231. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/sports7110231.
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Beta-alanine (BA) is a precursor to carnosine which functions as a buffer assisting in the maintenance of intracellular pH during high-intensity efforts. Rugby is a sport characterized by multiple intermittent periods of maximal or near maximal efforts with short periods of rest/active recovery. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of six weeks of beta-alanine supplementation on anaerobic performance measures in collegiate rugby players. Twenty-one male, collegiate rugby players were recruited, while fifteen completed post-testing (Mean ± SD; Age: 21.0 ± 1.8 years, Height: 179 ± 6.3 cm, Body Mass: 91.8 ± 13.3 kg, % Body Fat: 21.3 ± 4.4). Supplementation was randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled manner between 6.4 g/d of beta-alanine and 6.4 g/d of maltodextrin placebo. Body composition, upper and lower-body maximal strength and muscular endurance, intermittent sprint performance, and post-exercise lactate, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion were assessed before and after supplementation. Data were analyzed using a 2 × 2 (group × time) mixed factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures on time. No significant interaction effects were noted for body mass, fat mass, fat-free mass, and percent bodyfat (p > 0.05). No performance effects resulting from beta-alanine supplementation were detected. Results from this initial pilot investigation suggest that BA exerts little to no impact on body composition parameters, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or intermittent sprinting performance. With the limited research exploring the impact of BA in this sporting context, these initial findings offer little support for BA use, but more research is needed to fully understand the potential impact of BA on various aspects of resistance exercise performance.
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Gangotra, Amrita, and Ravi Shankar. "Strategies in managing risks in the adoption of business analytics practices." Journal of Enterprise Information Management 29, no. 3 (April 11, 2016): 374–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jeim-10-2014-0096.
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Purpose – There are various risks that can derail the adoption of business analytics (BA) practice in a telecom service provider (TSP) thereby jeopardising the possibility to increase profitability and improved customer experience. The purpose of this paper is to analyse different associated risks using situation-actor-process, learnings-actions-performance (SAP-LAP) model and build mitigation strategies for the adoption. Also the risks are ranked using the interactive ranking process (IRP) methodology and the dominating matrix provides insight to the actions and actors that need attention to improve the processes and performance. Design/methodology/approach – A case study of a TSP (X1) was analysed through close interactions with experts within the company and externals involved in setting up the BA practice in X1. Using the SAP-LAP framework risks were identified and then the IRP was used to rank the actors w.r.t performance and actions w.r.t processes. Findings – X1 has taken initiatives for setting up the BA practice in order to improve the profitability and customer experience through data insights. The suggested conceptual SAP-LAP model helps to address risk mitigation strategies for its adoption and the IRP frameworks helps in understanding the prioritisation matrix (using the ranking) to be considered to mitigate the risks. Research limitations/implications – The IRP framework is limited to certain relationships between actors, w.r.t processes and actions w.r.t performance for the prioritisation matrix of identified risks. This has scope to be further expanded to other relationships and therefore refining the findings. Also this approach could be used to study other industries too. Practical implications – SAP-LAP model identifies the risks in adopting the BA practice in a TSP. The synthesis of SAP leads to LAP, which bridges the gap by suggesting improvement actions based on the learning from the present situation, actors and processes. IRP provides the prioritisation matrix for mitigating the risks by identifying the dominating factors. Originality/value – BA practice plays a dominant role in a TSP. An approach to study the risks of its adoption using the SAP-LAP and IRP framework bridges the gap between the academic and corporate world. This paper is very relevant to managers involved in setting up a BA practice. For the academic, use of research model validates the identification of risks that are recognised in the corporate world and prioritising the risks that need to be addressed.
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Okike, Chikezie, and Kiran Jude Fernandes. "Impact of information use architecture on load and usability." Information Processing & Management 48, no. 5 (September 2012): 995–1016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ipm.2012.04.003.
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Brągoszewska, Ewa, and Anna Mainka. "Impact of Different Air Pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and Bacterial Aerosols) on COVID-19 Cases in Gliwice, Southern Poland." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 21 (October 30, 2022): 14181. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114181.
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Many studies have shown that air pollution may be closely associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19. It has been observed that exposure to air pollution leads to reduced immune response, thereby facilitating viral penetration and replication. In our study, we combined information on confirmed COVID-19 daily new cases (DNCs) in one of the most polluted regions in the European Union (EU) with air-quality monitoring data, including meteorological parameters (temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and direction) and concentrations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). Additionally, the relationship between bacterial aerosol (BA) concentration and COVID-19 spread was analyzed. We confirmed a significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) between NO2 concentrations and numbers of confirmed DNCs and observed positive correlations (p < 0.05) between BA concentrations and DNCs, which may point to coronavirus air transmission by surface deposits on bioaerosol particles. In addition, wind direction information was used to show that the highest numbers of DNCs were associated with the dominant wind directions in the region (southern and southwestern parts).
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Loucks, Abigail, Dana van Sambeek, and Elizabeth A. Hines. "PSVIII-20 Impact of soybean meal inclusion in late gestation on sow productivity and litter performance." Journal of Animal Science 98, Supplement_3 (November 2, 2020): 222–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaa054.388.
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Abstract Soybean meal (SBM) provides essential nutritional components to the pig beyond amino acid profile. However, the expense of SBM has led to reduced use or elimination from diets of pre-farrowing sows. Therefore, the objective of this project is to investigate the impact of variable SBM inclusion rates of late gestation diets on sow productivity during farrowing and lactation. Sows were assigned to one of four diets, two weeks prior to farrowing: A (n=15; 0% SBM, 13.5% crude protein (CP), B (n=17; 10% SBM, 13.5% CP), C (n=15; 0% SBM, 21.5% CP), D (n=15; 30% SBM, 21.5% CP). At farrowing the total born (TB), born alive (BA), mummies (MM), stillborn (SB), and birth weights (BW) were recorded. After farrowing, piglet weights were recorded daily until d 10 of lactation, and then weekly until weaning. No significant effect of SBM inclusion was observed for MM, SB, or BW (P > 0.44). A numerical increase in TB (P = 0.36) and BA (P = 0.11) was observed in litters produced from sows on diet D, with TB at 13.9 ±1.3, and BA at 13.3 ± 1.1, while diets A, B, and C had TB and BA ≤ 11.3 ± 1.6, and ≤ 10.2 ± 1.1, respectively. Litter BW, wean weight, and average daily gain were not different across diets (P ≥ 0.47). These results suggest that the inclusion rate of SBM has minimal impact on overall performance, however, continued research is needed into understanding the nutritional needs of a sow during late gestation.
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Wang, Yichuan, and Terry Anthony Byrd. "Business analytics-enabled decision-making effectiveness through knowledge absorptive capacity in health care." Journal of Knowledge Management 21, no. 3 (May 8, 2017): 517–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jkm-08-2015-0301.
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Purpose Drawing on the resource-based theory and dynamic capability view, this paper aims to examine the mechanisms by which business analytics (BA) capabilities (i.e. the effective use of data aggregation, analytics and data interpretation tools) in healthcare units indirectly influence decision-making effectiveness through the mediating role of knowledge absorptive capacity. Design/methodology/approach Using a survey method, this study collected data from the hospitals in Taiwan. Of the 155 responses received, three were incomplete, giving a 35.84 per cent response rate with 152 valid data points. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypotheses. Findings This study conceptualizes, operationalizes and measures the BA capability as a multi-dimensional construct that is formed by capturing the functionalities of BA systems in health care, leading to the conclusion that healthcare units are likely to obtain valuable knowledge through using the data analysis and interpretation tools effectively. The effective use of data analysis and interpretation tools in healthcare units indirectly influence decision-making effectiveness, an impact that is mediated by absorptive capacity. Originality/value This study adds values to the literature by conceptualizing BA capabilities in healthcare and demonstrating how knowledge absorption matters when implementing BA to the decision-making process. The mediating role of absorptive capacity not only provides a mechanism by which BA can contribute to decision-making practices but also offers a new solution to the puzzle of the IT productivity paradox in healthcare settings.
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Dodds, Kevin J., Darrell W. Ross, Carol Randall, and Gary E. Daterman. "Landscape Level Validation of a Douglas-Fir Beetle Stand Hazard-Rating System Using Geographical Information Systems." Western Journal of Applied Forestry 19, no. 2 (April 1, 2004): 77–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/wjaf/19.2.77.
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Abstract A geographical information system (GIS) and historical infestation data were used to validate a Douglas-fir beetle hazard-rating system currently in use by the USDA Forest Service in parts of the West. This hazard-rating system is based on stand characteristics including percent Douglas-fir basal area (BA), stand BA, average Douglas-fir dbh, and stand age. To validate the hazard-rating system, stand information and aerial detection survey maps from 1996–1999 were combined in a GIS. Analyses determined that the highest amount of acreage infested and highest tree mortality occurred in moderate- and high-hazard stands, although the total area of these stands was less than that in other hazard classes. Furthermore, as beetle populations shifted from endemic to epidemic population levels, more acres were infested and tree mortality was greater in high-hazard areas. The use of spatial technologies and aerial detection survey maps provided a novel alternative for validating a forest insect hazard-rating system. West. J. Appl. For. 19(2):77–81.