• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.483-488
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• 2014

Aim: This study employed public use National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data to investigate the association between urinary cadmium (UDPSI) and all cause, all cancer and prostate cancer mortalities in men. Patients and Methods: NHANES III household adult, laboratory and mortality data were merged. The sampling weight used was WTPFEX6, with SDPPSU6 applied for the probability sampling unit and SDPSTRA6 to designate the strata for the survey analysis. Results: For prostate cancer death, the significant univariates were UDPSI, age, weight, and drinking. Under multivariate logistic regression, the significant covariates were age and weight. For all cause mortality in men, the significant covariates were UDPSI, age, and poverty income ratio. For all cancer mortality in men, the significant covariates were UDPSI, age, black and Mexican race. Conclusions: UDPSI was a predictor of all cause and all cancer mortalities in men as well as prostate cancer mortality.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.11
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• pp.951-959
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• 2003

A series of typical (chlorpromazine, haloperidol and thioridazine) and atypical (risperidone, quetiapine, clozapine and olanzapine) antipsychotics were tested for effects on integrated bioenergetic functions of isolated rat liver mitochondria. Polarographic measurement of oxygen consumption in freshly isolated mitochondria showed that electron transfer activity at respiratory complex I is inhibited by chlorpromazine, haloperidol, risperidone, and quetiapine, but not by clozapine, olanzapine, or thioridazine. Chlorpromazine and thioridazine act as modest uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation. The typical neuroleptics inhibited NADH-coenzyme Q reductase in freeze-thawed mitochondria, which is a direct measure of complex I enzyme activity. The inhibition of NADH-coenzyme Q reductase activity by the atypicals risperidone and quetiapine was 2-4 fold less than that for the typical neuroleptics. Clozapine and olanzapine had only slight effects on NADH-coenzyme Q reductase activity, even at 200 $\mu$ M. The relative potencies of these neuroleptic drugs as inhibitors of mitochondrial bioenergetic function is similar to their relative potencies as risk factors in the reported incidence of extrapyramidal symptoms, including tardive dyskinesia (TD). This suggests that compromised bioenergetic function may be involved in the cellular pathology underlying TD.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.36
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• pp.149-173
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• 2014

This paper examines language policies of Ghana and Tanzania (former British Colonies) since independence. The view that language use in education is a problem for African countries is evident in the ever changing language in education policies in many African countries. Because of the inevitable multilingual situation in many African countries, there are unavoidable challenges in their quest to adopt a language policy that works for the entire country since it is not practical to adopt all the languages spoken in the country as Media of Instruction. Ghana is not immune to this challenge and has fallen victim to this tendency to change the language in education policy from time to time in an attempt to adopt a satisfactory policy which would yield the intended results. Tanzania, however, is one of the few African countries that have found a sustainable language in education policy since independence. Nonetheless, it has its fair share of challenges as a consequence of the perceived competition between Kiswahili and English as official languages. The paper discusses the challenges that both Ghana and Tanzania face against the background of colonization. The paper also offers a discussion on possible future perspectives for the two countries.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.220-233
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• 2019

This work aims to study and analyze the various operating modes of universal power converter which is powered by solar and thermoelectric generators. The proposed converter is operated in a DC-DC (buck or boost mode) and DC-AC (single phase) inverter with high efficiency. DC power sources, such as solar photovoltaic (SPV) panels, thermoelectric generators (TEGs), and Li-ion battery, are selected as input to the proposed converter according to the nominal output voltage available/generated by these sources. The mode of selection and output power regulation are achieved via control of the metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) switches in the converter through the modified stepped perturb and observe (MSPO) algorithm. The MSPO duty cycle control algorithm effectively converts the unregulated DC power from the SPV/TEG into regulated DC for storing energy in a Li-ion battery or directly driving a DC load. In this work, the proposed power sources and converter are mathematically modelled using the Scilab-Xcos Simulink tool. The hardware prototype is designed for 200 W rating with a dsPIC30F4011 digital controller. The various output parameters, such as voltage ripple, current ripple, switching losses, and converter efficiency, are analyzed, and the proposed converter with a control circuit operates the converter closely at 97% efficiency.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.33-45
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• 2022

Purpose: The development of online shopping trends in Indonesia is increasing, and Tokopedia is becoming one of the most popular e-commerce websites. The purpose of this study is to obtain empirical evidence whether mobile shopping, customer review, perceived credibility, and Korean celebrity endorsement affect online purchase decision, whether online purchase decision affects customer satisfaction, and whether customer satisfaction affects brand loyalty of customers in Tokopedia e-commerce. Research Design, data and methodology: Quantitative survey with data was collected using an online questionnaire with sample characteristics were Tokopedia customers who lived in Jakarta by 385 samples using the purposive sampling method, and data analysis was conducted using the Smartpls application program version 3.0. Results: Mobile shopping, customer review, and perceived credibility had positive effects on online purchase decision at Tokopedia in Jakarta. However, Korean celebrity endorsement did not have a positive effect on online purchase decision at Tokopedia in Jakarta. Furthermore, online purchase decision had a positive effect on customer satisfaction at Tokopedia in Jakarta, and customer satisfaction had a positive effect on brand loyalty at Tokopedia in Jakarta. Conclusions: This study proposes significant implications for maintaining customer relationships to achieve purchasing decision, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty in the e-commerce industry.

• Asia pacific journal of information systems
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.188-213
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• 2020

Various information and communication technologies (ICT) and electronic government (e-Government) projects have been planted in hopes of economic and social growth in developing economies. These types of ventures usually involve working in societies with their own unique cultures in various aspects that often cause "custom ways" of planning, implementing, coordinating, and controlling in IT projects, thus playing a grand role in determining the success of IT projects. Due to a lack of understanding of local cultural factors and a deficiency of cultural risk evaluation models, however, many IT projects especially in the context of developing economies face failure. This study investigates the major cultural factors involved in IT projects and their effects on IT projects in developing economies. The framework is validated using the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) information and communication technology (ICT) and e-Government project cases of two countries in Central Asia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. This study will help project managers develop management practices and strategies associated with the cultural factors they face during the various stages of their IT projects in their specific contexts.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1393-1400
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• 2018

Objective: This study was carried out to assess the haplotype diversity and population dynamics in cattle populations of Ethiopia. Methods: We sequenced the complete mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 76 animals from five indigenous and one Holstein Friesian${\times}$Barka cross bred cattle populations. Results: In the sequence analysis, 18 haplotypes were generated from 18 segregating sites and the average haplotype and nucleotide diversities were $0.7540{\pm}0.043$ and $0.0010{\pm}0.000$, respectively. The population differentiation analysis shows a weak population structure (4.55%) among the populations studied. Majority of the variation (95.45%) is observed by within populations. The overall average pair-wise distance ($F_{ST}$) was 0.049539 with the highest ($F_{ST}=0.1245$) and the lowest ($F_{ST}=0.011$) $F_{ST}$ distances observed between Boran and Abigar, and Sheko and Abigar from the indigenous cattle, respectively. The phylogenetic network analysis revealed that all the haplotypes detected clustered together with the Bos taurus cattle and converged to a haplogroup. No haplotype in Ethiopian cattle was observed clustered with the reference Bos indicus group. The mismatch distribution analysis indicates a single population expansion event among the cattle populations. Conclusion: Overall, high haplotype variability was observed among Ethiopian cattle populations and they share a common ancestor with Bos taurus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1029-1043
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• 2013

The pearl is a highly valuable gem that has historically represented wealth and power. Pearl necklaces have developed intro various types and represent an essential status item for modern women. This study first examines the symbolic and various meanings of pearls. Second, this study examines wearing types and pearl necklace patterns based on historical figures and modern fashion icons famous for personal displays of pearls. This study examines and analyzes various specialty publications about jewels, history of costumes, fashion magazines, academic research data, and internet search results. The conclusion of this study is as follows. Pearls have various symbolic meanings that are unlike other gems. Pearls represent purity, innocence, marital fidelity, an intimate relationship with the moon, frozen tears of God, solitude, triumph over adversity, wisdom, and sensual attraction. The societies and people traditionally famous for pearls were the Roman Empire, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, Queen Theodora of the Byzantine Empire, Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Marie Antoinette, Empress of Eugenie Napoleon III, and Queen Alexandra. They showed a special affection for pearl necklaces and various wearing patterns unique to the time. Their pearl necklaces became a historic and symbolic legacy. Reestablished through the costume jewelry of cultivated pearls designed by Coco Chanel in the $20^{th}$ century, the pearl necklace has showed a variety of fashion trends in addition to a traditional symbolism of wealth and power. Josephine Baker, Louise Brooks, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Jacqueline Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Michelle Obama and Sarah Jessica Parker have worn notable pearl necklaces and established an individual style that utilizes the adornment of fashionable and stylish pearl necklaces. They have worn pearl necklaces while applying various fashion trend motifs to symbolic pearl features of that have changed the perception of the pearl and themselves.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

This paper evaluates the influence of rainfall on propagated signal at different time exceedance percentages of an average year, over the climate zones of the country. Specifically, it demonstrates critical and non critical signal fade or signal outage time exceedance (0.001% to 1%) for Ku, K, and Ka-band systems in an average year. The study was carried out using meteorological data made available by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) over a period of 10 years (2009-2018). The four climate zones in the country were represented by five (5) locations; Maidugiri (warm desert climate), Sokoto (tropical dry climate), Port Harcourt (tropical monsoon climate), Abuja and Enugu (tropical savanna climate). The parameters were simulated into the International Telecommunications Union Recommended (ITU-R) models for rain attenuation over the tropics and results presented using MatLab and Origin Lab. Results of Ku band propagations showed that only locations in the tropical savanna and tropical monsoon climates experienced total signal outage for time percentage exceedance equal to or below 0.01% for both horizontal and vertical polarizations. At K band propagations, the five locations showed to have experienced signal outage at time exceedance equal to and below 0.01%, almost same was recorded for the Ka-band propagation. It was also observed that horizontal and vertical polarization of signal had slightly different rain attenuation values for the studied bands at the five locations, with horizontal polarization having higher values than vertical polarization.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.6491-6496
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• 2012

Background: The influence of parental socio-economic status on childhood cancer treatment outcome in low-income countries has not been sufficiently investigated. Our study examined this influence and explored parental experiences during cancer treatment of their children in an Indonesian academic hospital. Materials and Methods: Medical charts of 145 children diagnosed with cancer between 1999 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. From October 2011 until January 2012, 40 caretakers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Results: Of all patients, 48% abandoned treatment, 34% experienced death, 9% had progressive/relapsed disease, and 9% overall event-free survival. Prosperous patients had better treatment outcome than poor patients (P<0.0001). Odds-ratio for treatment abandonment was 3.3 (95%CI: 1.4-8.1, p=0.006) for poor versus prosperous patients. Parents often believed that their child's health was beyond doctor control and determined by luck, fate or God (55%). Causes of cancer were thought to be destiny (35%) or God's punishment (23%). Alternative treatment could (18%) or might (50%) cure cancer. Most parents (95%) would like more information about cancer and treatment. More contact with doctors was desired (98%). Income decreased during treatment (55%). Parents lost employment (48% fathers, 10% mothers), most of whom stated this loss was caused by their child's cancer (84% fathers, 100% mothers). Loss of income led to financial difficulties (63%) and debts (55%). Conclusions: Treatment abandonment was most important reason for treatment failure. Treatment outcome was determined by parental socio-economic status. Childhood cancer survival could improve if financial constraints and provision of information and guidance are better addressed.