bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical Professionalism Perception of Medical Students in Spain
Authors: Serrano-Costa Blas , Flores-Funes Diego , Botella-Martínez Carmen , Atucha Noemí M. , García-Estañ Joaquín
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Currently, the Doctor-Patient relationship of all cultures and societies is in crisis due to the distrust that has arisen in this social contract. This distrust origins from various changes that have occurred worldwide. We, as doctors, can contribute to solving this crisis, reaffirming the values that integrate medical professionalism. In the absence of specific studies and programmes on medical professionalism in Spanish universities, we consider knowing the perception of medical professionalism by medical students at the University of Murcia essential to see if there is a need to introduce educational improvements in our faculty.

Methods: A professionalism questionnaire from the Penn State University School of Medicine (PSCOM) was provided online, voluntarily and anonymously to all students of the Medicine degree of the University of Murcia.

Results: The perception of professionalism in students was high, since all categories have more than 75% positive responses on average. The categories of Respect and Altruism were the best rated. On the other hand, there is a slight increase in negative responses as students progress through the degree. Between sexes, however, there were no differences in the criteria.

Conclusions: Although the perception of professionalism is good, it is still a perception, so it should reach values closer to 100%. Therefore, the faculty is encouraged to carry out specific programmes to promote medical professionalism in the degree courses.
Entropy and renormalized solutions for some nonlinear anisotropic elliptic equations with variable exponents and L
1-data
Authors: Moumni Mostafa El , Mohamed Deval Sidi
Published: April 2021

We prove in this paper some existence and unicity results of entropy and renormalized solutions for some nonlinear elliptic equations with general anisotropic diffusivities and variable exponents. The data are assumed to be merely integrable.
Cu-doped TiO2 brookite photocatalyst with enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zou Yunling , Huang Xianshou , Yu Tao , Tong Xiaoqiang , Li Yan , Lian Xiaoxue , Xie Yao , Huang Jiaming , He Wei , Li Wenxin
Published: April 2021

Cu-doped TiO2 having a brookite phase and showing enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity was synthesized using a mild solvothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activity of Cu-doped brookite TiO2 nanoparticles was evaluated by photodegradation of methylene blue under visible light irradiation. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the crystallite size of Cu-doped brookite TiO2 samples decreased with the increase of Cu concentration in the samples. The UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy analysis of the Cu-doped TiO2 samples showed a shift to lower energy levels in the band gap compared with that of bare phase brookite TiO2. Cu doped brookite TiO2 can obviously improve its visible light photocatalytic activity because of Cu ions acting as electron acceptors and inhibiting electron-hole recombination. The brookite TiO2 sample with 7.0 wt.% Cu showed the highest photocatalytic activity and the corresponding degradation rate of MB (10 mg/L) reached to 87 % after visible light illumination for 120 min, much higher than that of bare brookite TiO2 prepared under the same conditions (78 %).
The Evolvement of the Pilates Method and its Relation to the Somatic Field
Authors: Rouhiainen Leena
Published: April 2021

Somatics is a field of practice that consists of approaches to bodywork that aim at psycho-physical integration and enhance the well-being of an individual. This is mainly done through appreciating the first-person perspective on the body. Don Hanlon Johnson (1995; 1994) suggests that, in the Europe and North America of the 20th century, the evolvement of diverse somatic practices could be viewed as a historical movement of its own. The inter-links that the Pilates Method has with this movement are not generally known. Joseph Pilates created an exercise method that he himself called Contrology during the early and mid 20th century, while working both in Germany and the United States. This paper delineates the evolution of Contrology by linking it to the German Body Culture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In so doing, it suggests that, while promoting especially functional and aesthetic efficacy of human movement, the Pilates Method shares historical roots with the somatic field. It likewise shares some principles with somatic education in that it enhances clients’ body awareness and supports the improvement of their movement patterns.
Considering the Ontological Premises for Tools in Artists’ Education–on Poiesis and Composition
Authors: Monni Kirsi
Published: April 2021

This article considers the ontological premises for tools in artists’ education, specifically in choreography studies at the master-of-arts level. The topic has proven to be crucial in planning and executing a curriculum of study in the contemporary age of pluralistic aesthetic intentions as any tool, as habitually understood, is ready-to-use according to its disclosed purpose and thus has, in a way, already solved some aspects of the singular research question posed between the artist and the prevailing world. The topic of tools turns out to be a wider question of contemporary poetics (techniques, methods, knowledge) and of ontological considerations of the nature of poiesis and artwork.

The topic of contemporary poetics was extensively discussed in a 2011-2013 Erasmus Intensive project, which was an educational collaboration among six European master’s programmes in dance and physically based performance in which the writer took part. This article reports some aspects of that discussion and elaborates on a traditionally widely used concept in choreography education–namely, composition. The article tackles the complex issue of poetics and tools by, firstly, discussing poiesis and the causes to which artwork is indebted and, secondly, by searching in some ontological premises for the notion of composition. The article presents a view of composition derived from Martin Heidegger’s elaborations of logos: Logos is letting something be seen in its togetherness with something–letting it be seen as something. (Heidegger 1962, 56). Following this notion, I propose a view to composition as a certain togetherness in relatedness in which case the concept of composition might serve both as reflective knowledge of construction and as a deep research question in artists’ creative processes.
From Two to One – An Exploration into the Integration of Artistic and Pedagogical Practices.
Authors: Kühn Micaela
Published: April 2021

This article concerns the first part of my final research project at the Danish National School of Performing Arts for a postgraduate diploma in Danseformidling/Dance Partnership undertaken in the first term of 2016. It is an inquiry into the relationship between artistic and pedagogical practices in the context of dance education, initially aiming at their integration by looking for a common denominator.

Proposing a loop structure as a methodological and practical framework, I reflect on the research inquiry ‘How can artistic and pedagogical practices integrate in the context of dance education?’

To conclude, the notion of participation in art and pedagogy is addressed as one of the entries to the possible imbrication of the practices. It is proposed that underlining the participatory aspect of artistic and pedagogical practices would carry questions on the modes of production and spectatorship in the former and the taken-for-granted roles and methods in the latter. I am proposing that pedagogical formats with a strong emphasis on shared meaning making are helpful towards the integration for which I am aiming.
The Choreographer’s View
Authors: Bauer-Nielsen Birgitte
Published: April 2021

In 2016, I published a book in Danish ‘Koreografens blik – En performativ koreografisk metode til skabelse af en interkulturel forestilling’. This article is a short presentation of this book. The book qualifies the choreographer’s view, that is, it examines and articulates the choreographic process from idea to product. Because of my dual role as choreographer and scholar, my analysis takes practice-based research and artistic research as its points of departure. On the basis of courtship dances, I have created an intercultural dance performance entitled ‘Sommerfuglen’ (‘The Butterfly’). The performers are dancers and musicians from Tanzania, Vietnam and Denmark. Courtship dances have a ritual status in all three cultures. I analyse the translocal process of the development of an intercultural dance performance in which local Tanzanian courtship dance features are analysed. The focal point of the translocal analysis are artistic and social practices that support the dance performance. What changes occur from translocal practice and/or dialogue? How can they be used in a global dialogue? The theories and methods used to analyse performative choreographic practice have their origins in performative anthropology, performance studies and theories of performativity.
To Let Things Unfold (by Catching the Centre)
Authors: Roos Cecilia
Published: April 2021

This article discusses and presents insights gained through the research project To let things unfold (by catching the centre) conducted by Jan Burkhardt and Cecilia Roos between 2016-2018 and financed by Stockholm University of the Arts. The research started with the pilot study Gestures of Exchange with us sharing an interest in how performers exchange methods during an artistic process and our aim was to explore different ways of articulating this process. In this study we realized that our interest was rather in how we can experience each other’s methods through sensation. This realization brought us into To Let Things Unfold (by Catching the Centre), a project in which we have been working on expanding the notion of sensation and practicing different ways in which experiences of sensation can be used as a material in choreographic processes. The questions we have asked ourselves are: What is the role of sensation in choreographic processes? In what ways are sensations exchanged, transformed and transacted between performers in a creative process? What kind of possibilities can emerge out of purposelessness? The act of sharing became our primary research practice supported by sensation as one of the fundaments for sharing.
Media policy in Greenland
Authors: Ravn-Højgaard Signe
Published: April 2021

This article describes the historical development of media policy in Greenland, and the shifts in the underlying normative and causal ideas that legitimise media policy. I argue that media policy reflects changes in Greenland's political system. Specifically, under colonial rule, Greenlandic media was state run and media was seen as an instrument to educate the population. Gradually, with the introduction of home rule, a paradigm shift took place, whereby media was seen as a vital instrument to strengthen Greenlandic language and identity. At the same time, normative ideas of media independence appeared which called for institutionalisation of the arm's length principle. Due to the influence and institutional spill-over from Denmark, I argue, Greenlandic media policy fit rather well into the “Nordic media model” although media policy in Greenland is mostly formulated without long-term or broad political agreements.
The Role of Transformational Entrepreneurship, Readiness to Change and Counterproductive Work Behavior in Enhancing Employee Performance
Authors: Chrisanty Febri Nila , Gunawan Michael Surya , Wijayanti Retno W. , Soetjipto Budi W.
Published: April 2021

Background and Purpose: The company sustainability balancing economic with social impact to coexist whilst the transformation entrepreneurship create the coexist. The purpose of this research is to better understand the consequences of transformational entrepreneurship, in terms of increasing organizational readiness for change, minimizing counterproductive work behavior and enhancing employee performance. In addition, this paper aims to comprehend the extent to which organizational readiness for change and counterproductive work behavior affect employee performance.

Methodology: The data were collected via a survey of 257 branches of a state-owned bank. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the proposed model.

Findings: Transformational entrepreneurship positively and significantly affect organizational readiness for change and employee performance, and negatively and significantly affect counterproductive work behavior. Moreover, the result demonstrated a significantly positive effect of organizational readiness for change on employee performance, and demonstrated a significantly negative effect of counterproductive work behavior on employee performance.

Conclusion: Point of this study is the effectiveness of transformational entrepreneurship in directly affecting employees’ performance. However, the effect transformational entrepreneurship has on readiness for change and counterproductive work behavior adds its impact on employees’ performance and based on the direct effect, readiness for comes up much more impactful than the other two. It implies how volatile and dynamics the work (internal and external) situations that having employees ready for change can help them cope with such volatility and dynamics to reach better performance.
Four stages of making project management flexible: insight, importance, implementation and improvement
Authors: Sohi Afshin Jalali , Bosch-Rekveldt Marian , Hertogh Marcel
Published: April 2021

Increased project complexity, project dynamics and changes in clients’ requirements are a few examples that suggest the necessity for flexibility in project management in order to deliver successful projects. Despite the fact that literature suggests adding flexibility to project management, there is no existing framework that provides a practical method for adding flexibility into the practice of project management in the construction industry. Therefore, this research is aimed at proposing a practical framework that helps practitioners in embedding project management flexibility into their project management practice. The research question is as follows: how to embed flexibility in the practice of project management in the early project phases? To answer the research question, four sub-questions have been formulated, which have been separately researched. The main question is answered by proposing a flexibility framework. This framework comprises four stages: understanding the current situation, practitioners’ perspectives on flexible project management, choosing enablers to become flexible and applying selected enablers to improve project performance. The framework is validated using the examples given by practitioners from 24 cases. Considering the movements towards flexibility and adaptability concepts, this research fills the gap in literature by providing a practical framework for project management flexibility. Moreover, it provides a step-by-step guideline for practitioners to embed flexibility in practice.
Bioethics in the Future: Ecological Upbringing from a Preschool Age. A Drama Music Workshop as an Example
Authors: Popović Ana , Perić Mira
Published: April 2021

In today’s society, public opinion plays a large role in the adoption of various legal measures and regulations, including those related to the field of bioethics. This is why experts have a duty to inform the public in a timely and accurate manner, and it is up to educators to educate new generations to become responsible citizens who can make informed decisions. A few years ago, attempts were made to implement a project of health education and then one of civic education in schools. Those curricula predict the student will develop human, political, social, cultural, economic and environmental competences as a citizen of the class, school and local community. A spiral development model of introduction by educational cycles is envisaged, starting from the 1st grade of primary school. However, civic education is also addressed by the national curriculum for early and preschool education, which anticipates development of social and civic competences in children of this age. Bioethics and environmental issues are still not sufficiently transparent to the public. This is why proper environmental education from preschool age is very important. In preschool education, the proper approach is essential, and contemporary pedagogy emphasizes the importance of learning through play. The artistic fields are imposed as an ideal framework in which various contents can be accommodated. A drama music workshop that will help children develop awareness of various issues through play is, therefore, an ideal training ground for educating a responsible and informed citizen. One such drama music workshop was organized for the purpose of demonstration on the occasion of the First Osijek Days of Bioethics. The story used in the workshop is from a picture book by Aleix Cabrera and Rosa M. Curto: Niko and nutrition. Through the play and the story, the importance of proper nutrition was emphasized to children and made them aware that it is necessary to know what they actually eat and where and how food comes from. This paper uses the workshop as a starting point when discussing the role of artistic fields and educators in creating a responsible and informed citizen in fields of bioethics and environmental issues and the importance of early and preschool education in the process.
Eco-Social and Economic Profile of the Herbicide Glyphosate
Authors: Vrček Valerije
Published: April 2021

By overview of scientific, political, and economic arguments, the structure and profile of glyphosate, the most important agrochemical compound in the world, has been portrayed. Toxicological, ecological and market objections of the opponents of glyphosate are in opposition with the financial and political support to that herbicide which, according to its advocates, enables the protection of crops, higher yields, and postpones the problem of world hunger. The conflict surrounding glyphosate surpasses the narrow scientific and social frames and is a good example of the need to think through and of decision making which involves connection and the totality of reality.
What Does Ceta Bring to Organic Production?
Authors: Stipešević Bojan
Published: April 2021

Even though eco-production is based on principles brought by IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements), the standards which were brought in by the national and supranational governments may differentiate in parts of regulation. The mutual recognition/equivalence of eco-standards of the EU (»EU-eco« label, based on regulation of the European Commission EZ 834/2007: 139-and EZ 889/2008: 173-256, and other regulations derived from them) and Canada (»Canada organic« label, based on valid Canadian eco-standards, regulation CAN/CGSB-32.310-2015: 53 and CAN/CGSB-32.311-2015: 75) has been present for multiple years and has been re-evaluated and confirmed in 2015 as a successful practice in the increase of access to an expanded market for producers, increase of selection for consumers and lightening the regulatory cooperation. Before mutual recognition exported eco-product from Canada to the EU (and vice-versa) had to go through recertification, which created additional expenses for exporting eco-producers (10 thousand dollars per year, on average). This process mostly resulted in an increased price of eco-products for the end consumer. In some areas the Canadian eco-regulation is stricter than the EU one, while in other it is vice versa. Some markings can mislead the consumer, especially the one who does not read the product declaration where such misgivings are clearly visible and marked. The greatest challenge for eco-production in the EU is the increase in demand for eco-products with such a speed that EU farmers cannot satisfy it, which inevitably leads to an increase of import from non-EU countries. Therefore, the help of EU governments is essential in the form of support for farmers who decide to transition into eco-production. Certain estimates say that the CETA could mean a loss of a great number of producers (estimating that it could be several thousand workplaces in agriculture across the EU). A similar agreement between the US and Mexico already led to a loss of workplace for 2 million people in Mexico in the midst of inability to compete with the industrial production of the US. The greatest fear present in eco-production is that the international agricultural businesses can force national and supranational governments to lower standards by using lawsuits, which can consequentially result in lower standards in eco-production on both sides of the Atlantic and influence the environment. It is not based on the scientific/expert arguments which governs the ecological agriculture, but a pure race for profit. Therefore, it can be expected that, once again, »greed overcomes reason«. Nevertheless, the high set »bar« of eco-production »from both sides of the pond« is the best »defence« against the fear that CETA will bring any novelties into the life of eco-producers.
The Visegrad Group countries: The United Arab Emirates Perspective
Authors: Krzymowski Adam
Published: April 2021

This manuscript analyses the role and importance of cooperation between the Visegrad Group (V4) countries and the most globally active member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is the United Arab Emirates. In view of the V4+ concept implemented with partners from the Middle East, Israel or Egypt, the presented analysis is important and meets the lack of this element in the scientific debate. This study is based on empirical research and its findings are the result of not only observation but also 10 years of direct participation of the author in many activities related to the cooperation of the Visegrad Group countries and the UAE, including as ambassador, senior advisor to Dubai Expo 2020, especially responsible for strategies and dynamisation relations between Central and Eastern Europe (except Poland) and the United Arab Emirates. According to the author’s opinion, presented in the conclusion, there is now a huge opportunity to present V4 projects, including as a part of the broader strategy of the Three Seas Initiative (3SI) during World Expo Dubai, which will take place from October 2021 to March 2022, and make this initiative a globally recognizable project. However, coordinating and accelerating joint actions is required.
Central Europe between the Great Powers: contemporary foreign-policy orientation
Authors: Ušiak Jaroslav , Klačko Ľubomír , Šostáková Ivana
Published: April 2021

The main aim of this this study was to highlight the relations between the Central European countries (Slovakia, Czechia, Poland and Hungary) and the two great powers—the United States and the Russian Federation. We examined the importance of this region from a geopolitical perspective, analysing the relations between the Central European countries and the great powers through two of their critical manifestations: military bases and energy security. The selection of these themes was justified by the frequent centralisation of the abovementioned topics in political discussions and their role in underpinning the securitisation of political leaders. The analysis of government strategy papers, and politicians’ statements and press releases, which included the views of three international relations experts, revealed diverse interstate relations. Each of the four Central European countries claims to be a responsible and reliable member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; however, not all of them place the same emphasis on this partnership. Regarding the energy sector, we came to the same conclusion. The countries declare their independence, but the RF continues to have a significant or dominant influence. The geographical position of the four surveyed countries is probably an important factor in this situation and the great powers generally adapt their foreign policy towards them accordingly, as evidenced by the selected topics. The results of the analyses confirmed the importance of this region from a geopolitical perspective.
Paul’s Apologia in 1 Corinthians 1-4 and the Concept of Paterfamilias
Authors: Mihăilă Corin
Published: April 2021

In Paul’s argument against dissensions, Paul is said to have tried to regain his authority before the Corinthians. The first rhetorical unit is thus seen as an apologia. In his argument, he seemingly uses the concept of paterfamilias known to have evoked power and control. However, such a proposal neglects the fact that Paul’s argument is against exactly such type of discourse in which one seeks to elevate one teacher against another. Rather, in the use of the concept of paterfamilias we should see Paul redefining the concept and filling it with affection.
Personal wellbeing and stress coping strategies among nurses working at the departments of anesthesiology and intensive care
Authors: Dimunová Lucia , Bérešová Anna , Kristová Jarmila , Mohnyánszki Ferdinand , Michalková Jana
Published: April 2021

Aim. To investigate the personal wellbeing of nurses in relation to selected variables. Then to explore whether personal wellbeing has any impact on preference for stress coping strategies.

Material and methods. The sample consisted of 509 nurses working at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Medicine. We used the Personal Wellbeing Index – Adult (PWI – A) scale and coping strategies (Brief COPE) questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the methods of descriptive and inductive statistics.

Results. Subjective perception of personal wellbeing was assessed at the score 60-70% (60.85; SD±12.47). The research revealed that age and marital status had no significant impact on wellbeing in contrast to the length of work experience and education level. The lowest scores of personal wellbeing among nurses were detected in connection with their concerns regarding their future security. Nurses utilized both adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. The study pinpointed the connection between coping strategies and personal wellbeing, in particular, in the domain of satisfaction with personal relationships and satisfaction with community connectedness.

Conclusions. Monitoring the personal wellbeing of nurses and utilizing stress coping strategies proved to be important, because these may have an impact on the work performance of nurses, personal safety, and quality of health work experiences they provide.
Application of DQE for quantitative assessment of detectors to estimate AEC efficiency in digital mammography
Authors: Fabiszewska Ewa , Wysocka-Rabin Anna , Dobrzyńska Magdalena , Skrzyński Witold , Pasicz Katarzyna
Published: April 2021

Optimisation of the detector’s exposure parameters settings for image quality and patient dose is an important task in digital mammography. Assessment of a digital detector’s performance can be done objectively and without operator bias by determining the Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE). The authors of this article aim to prove that the performance of the AEC system can be objectively portrayed through DQE. The results were examined for influence of KAD changes on DQE values and to determine if it was possible to obtain similar DQE values for different exposures. While analysing the effect of the operation of the AEC system described with DQE, the doses received by women during mammography examinations were considered, as well.

The AEC system’s exposure control mechanism cannot guarantee the same DQE value for different object thicknesses. When the object thickness increases, the AEC system should increase the KAD value to obtain the same DQE value. The result of increasing KAD would be the increase of mean glandular dose for some women. However, assuming that DQE is a good indicator of image quality, introducing the proposed changes to the AEC system’s operation would result in the same image quality for all breast thicknesses.

This approach to DQE use for AEC system evaluation is independent of the image processing procedure and can be the basis for changes to system calibration done by the manufacturer’s technical support team.
Reactor Laboratory for Biomedical Research in National Centre for Nuclear Research in Poland
Authors: Michaś Edyta , Dorosz Michał , Wójciuk Karolina , Tymińska Katarzyna , Wiliński Maciej , Maciak Maciej , Domański Szymon , Wojtania Grzegorz , Bartosik Łukasz , Małkiewicz Adam , Lechniak Jan , Gryziński Michał Aleksander
Published: April 2021

National Centre for Nuclear Research, NCBJ is one of the biggest research institutes in Poland, in which scientists deal with basic research in the various fields of subatomic physics, development of nuclear technologies and practical applications of nuclear physics methods, including those for nuclear medicine and radiotherapy. NCBJ operates the only Polish nuclear research reactor MARIA, around which a Reactor Laboratory for Biomedical Research, RLBR has been built in the last 4 years.

One of the main aims of the RLBR team is to adapt the H2 channel, one of the eight MARIA’s horizontal channels, to a specific irradiation facility delivering a high flux thermal/epithermal neutron beam. The beam derived from the channel will be a tool for biological, physical and material studies for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy, BNCT.

While NCBJ is focused on building a neutron research facility, the Polish scientific community expressed its interest in BNCT development and implementation as an alternative therapy for cancer treatment. Through the working group meetings organized in the form of regular scientific workshops since 2015, it led to the establishment of a national scientific consortium dedicated to BNCT.

Polish Consortium for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy agreement was initially signed by twelve institutions including scientific institutes, universities and oncological centres in October 2019. National Centre for Nuclear Research was appointed the leader of the consortium. A year later the consortium was enlarged by two more institutions.
Unethical Consumer Practices in the Perception of Hospitality Industry Employees
Authors: Omelan Aneta Anna , Raczkowski Marek
Published: April 2021

Introduction.
Unethical consumer practices in the hotel industry pose a global problem. They are encountered in countries and regions with a rapidly developing tourism sector and a growing number of tourists. Demanding or even impolite customers pose a challenge for hotel employees. These problems are also encountered in Poland.

Materials and Methods.
In the presented case study, a mixed method model combining qualitative and quantitative analyses was applied to investigate unethical tourist practices in Polish hotels. Five four-star hotels belonging to the same capital group in north-eastern Poland were analyzed.

Results.
The study demonstrated that hotel staff members, in particular frontline employees, are confronted with unethical customer behaviors. Five types of unethical practices that are most often encountered by hotel employees, in particular young staff members, have been identified.

Conclusions.
The ability to deal with difficult customers is one of the most highly valued skills in frontline employees. Hotel employees should have an opportunity to participate in regular training programs on hospitality ethics and strategies for coping with difficult situations. These skills will play a pivotal role after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic when hotels will be struggling to bring back clients. However, excessive leniency towards guests in difficult times could have adverse consequences when businesses resume normal operations.
Comorbidities, COPD and COVID 19
Authors: Constantin Ana , Mihălțan Florin
Published: April 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is one of the most pressing health care concerns in 2020. The continually growing number of new cases, the global outspread of the virus and the severity of the disease determined the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a pandemic.

Twenty per cent of the patients present severe and critical forms that frequently require oxygen supplementation and intensive care unit admission. That is why, to provide optimal care, it is imperative to identify at-risk patients.

Patients with associated chronic diseases are more prone to develop severe and critical forms of the infection. Although the chronic pulmonary obstructive disease is present only in a limited number of coronavirus disease 2019 patients, it is most commonly associated with lung disease and a poor outcome than other comorbidities.
INSPIRO project – Educational intervention against non-adherence to inhalation therapy for Romanian asthma and COPD patients
Authors: Ulmeanu Ruxandra , Croitoru Alina , Nitu Floarea Mimi , Mihaltan Florin , Oancea Cristian , Nedelcu Ramona , Boldeanu Daniela , Rajnoveanu Ruxandra , Fildan Petronela
Published: April 2021

Background

In the management of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), adherence to therapy represents a key to success.

Objective

The objective was to increase adherence to treatment through the development of educational intervention (EI) for asthma and COPD, addressed to patients and general practitioners (GPs). The educational programme includes group educational sessions and educational materials and was carried out in five Romanian hospitals. The results were assessed through Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI) questionnaire.

Results

Of note, 347 GPs and 435 patients were included. Seventy-six per cent of the GPs considered that the main causes of non-adherence are the disease misunderstanding, difficulty of using inhaled medication, fear of adverse effects, the patient’s conviction that no medicine is useful for his illness and financial nature (20%). Fifty-five per cent of surveyed GPs believed that their patients always or most of the time adhere to inhaled therapy but 57% of the same surveyed GPs checked the inhalation technique of their patients sometimes, rarely or never. Only 44% of the GPs discussed with the pulmonologist about their patient’s disease. Before the EI, only 32% of patients had a good adherence score to therapy; this percentage increases to 57% after EI. The most common reasons for non-adherence were: patient forgets to administer his inhalation medication daily (49%), fear of adverse effects (33%), belief that medication is useless (26%), and fear that inhalation medication affects everyday life of the patient (24%). Nearly half of the patients (47%) give up medication when they feel better. Forty per cent of patients drop off inhalation treatments due to financial reasons. The most influenced behaviours as a result of the EI were psychological component (85%), fear of the adverse events (82%) and social component (79%).

Conclusions

The non-adherence to therapy remains a real problem in asthma and COPD patients in our study group, but EI had positive effects. Extending medical education programmes for patients focused on main reasons of poor adherence, such as forgetting to take medication daily, use of inhalator devices, not understanding their disease, may significantly increase adherence to inhalation treatment.
The thousand-question Spanish general knowledge database
Authors: Buades-Sitjar Francisco , Boada Roger , Guasch Marc , Ferré Pilar , Hinojosa José Antonio , Brysbaert Marc , Duñabeitia Jon Andoni
Published: April 2021

General knowledge questionnaires have been ubiquitously used to study a wide variety of phenomena, such as illusory truth, error correction and tip-ofthe-tongue situations. However, their normings are highly restricted to the territory and the time period they in which they were obtained. This requires that new normings are obtained for each new territory in which they be used. Here, we present a new set of 1364 general knowledge questions normed for a Spanish population. The questions span a total of 37 different fields of knowledge and an extensive range of difficulty levels. They are formulated in a multiple-choice format, and pick rates for the correct answer as well as for the three incorrect response options are provided. We hope that a database of such size and flexibility will prove to be a useful research tool for the Spanish community.
Potential Influence of Urban Sprawl and Changing Land Surface Temperature on Outdoor Thermal Comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria
Authors: Obiefuna Jerry N. , Okolie Chukwuma J. , Nwilo Peter C. , Daramola Olagoke E. , Isiofia Lawrence C.
Published: April 2021

The continuous monitoring of the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and land cover change is imperative for an inquiry into the potential impact of LST on human well-being, including urban outdoor thermal comfort in Lagos State, Nigeria. Using Landsat imagery, this study assessed land cover and LST changes from 1984 to 2019. Land cover was extracted, LST was determined from Landsat imageries and the land cover changes were linked to LST using the contribution index (CI). Afterwards, the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) was calculated to determine the heat stress levels. Findings confirm the presence of urban sprawl and new growth areas in previously rural Local Government Areas (LGAs) eastward, northward and westward of Lagos metropolis and in regions which lie on the fringe of the state's border with Ogun State. Also, a very strong link between high LST intensities and increasing concentration of urban areas in rapidly growing LGAs has been observed. This link further confirms the increased warming of the state, with an increase in mean LST of 2.16°C during 1984–2019. The UTCI which was used to gauge the influence of LST on outdoor thermal comfort ranged from moderate to strong heat stress levels. This study helps to strengthen the case for definite policies and actions which should be aimed at achieving moderate urban development through increased urban tree canopy/green infrastructure provision and carbon sequestration activities in urban design/landscape design, in Lagos State.
The Influence of Chosen Statistical Methods of Detecting Outliers on Property Valuation Result
Authors: Barańska Anna , Śpiewak Beata
Published: April 2021

The subject of the thesis concerns the application of selected statistical methods searching for outliers in the process of determining the value of real estate, based on a functional model adjusted to market data.

The collected research material consisted of data on land properties, which were the subject of transactions on local markets, for which there was no information regarding the specific conditions of concluding the sale agreement. After the initial selection of data regarding the purpose of the property in the local plan, the type of property rights being sold and the size of the shares sold - a functional model was adjusted to the obtained data, showing the relationship between the price being the dependent variable and the features of the property being the independent variables. Then, two statistical methods of searching for outliers which are significantly different in their algorithms, i.e. Cook’s distance and robust estimation method called Pope’s method, were applied to each model. The last stage was to determine the model values of selected properties and to compare the obtained results with the known transaction prices of the parcels being the subject of the valuation.

The conducted research allowed for the verification of the influence of significantly different statistical methods searching for outliers on the property valuation result and its accuracy.
Reflection on Mediation: Interpreting a Book of Andrei Scrima
Authors: Tofan Ioan Alexandru
Published: April 2021

The article examines Father Scrima’s concepts and ideas from published works after 1990 and manuscripts between 1960 and 1980. In these texts, he probes the relationship between mediated and immediate knowledge from a spiritual point of view. The theology of Spirit that Father Scrima develops points towards a liturgical understanding of the world in which mediation finds its meaning and value.
The Inner Dimension of the Orthodox Tradition and Traditionalism According to André Scrima’s Hermeneutics
Authors: Tătaru-Cazaban Bogdan
Published: April 2021

A unique Figure in the Orthodox Church, André Scrima was a bridge-personality among Christians and between Christianity and other religions. In his early works, bearing witness to a “spiritual inheritance” and a “blessing of grace” that he had personally received, he stressed the inner dimension of Eastern Christianity represented by Hesychastic spirituality – a perennial divine inspiration manifested across history. But both as a spiritual figure and a professor of comparative religion, he oriented his reflection toward considering the religious plurality of the world from a Christian perspective. Searching for the “lieu théologal” of hospitality for others’ spiritualities became one of the main purposes of Scrima’s reflections which occasionally dealt in a sympathetic as well as critical manner with Traditionalism. This paper aims to highlight the interest raised by an Orthodox reflection on the so-called “esoteric” side of his Tradition which leads to a hermeneutic of religious diversity.
Attraction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) for Car and Bike Owners
Authors: Abid Malik Muneeb , Ayaz Altaf , Nawaz Nabeel , Iqbal Muhammad , Yang Hongtai , Tehseen Ahmad Salar , Jafar Syed Taseer Abbas
Published: April 2021

This study aims to find the potential of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to attract the vehicle owners from their personal vehicles i.e., motorcars and motorcycles. Stated preference survey (questionnaires) and interviews were conducted at BRT (Metro Bus) Stations for the prediction of the individuals shifting from their private vehicles to BRT. Questions were designed critically as per the requirements of the research related to numerous aspects of BRT use i.e., vehicle ownership of the travelers, driving license holder, demographic characteristics, choice to use BRT if the fare increases, trip purpose and their prior mode of transportation for the same trip. A total of 374 responses, as per the population of the study area (Islamabad-Rawalpindi, Pakistan), were collected. The Multinomial Logistic Regression (MNL) model has been employed for four categories of vehicle ownerships i.e., “Car owners using BRT”, “Bike owners using BRT”, “Both Car and Bike owners using BRT” and the last one which has been taken as reference category is “BRT users with no vehicle ownership”. The analysis indicated that BRT has attracted considerably private vehicle users specially the bike owners. Some socio-economic factors like income and residence location (accessibility) additionally have a major effect on the selection of BRT. In addition, it has been observed that fare increase can alter the mode choice of the BRT users and they will again prefer their own vehicles. The Travel choice model developed in the study can be very useful for policy makers and transport planners to enhance the BRT service and attraction, to mitigate traffic congestion and car ownership.
Behaviour of Rectangular Reinforced Concrete Columns with Disproportionate Cross-Section Dimensions Subjected to Compression and Biaxial Bending - Case Study
Authors: Adrian-Alexandru Savu
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the current paper is to raise awareness on the behaviour of rectangular reinforced concrete columns with disproportionate cross-section dimensions subjected to compression and biaxial bending, considering the fact that in the current structural design process, the design of columns is usually done with respect to each of the two principal directions without considering their combined effect.

The paper is based on a case study regarding a building that is currently in the design phase, in which to obtain a correct seismic behaviour, rectangular columns with disproportionate cross-section dimensions were used.

The design of both the building and the columns follows the Romanian seismic design codes (“P100-1/2013 - Seismic design code - Part 1 - Design provisions for buildings” and “SR-EN 1998/2004 - Design of structures for earthquake resistance”).

Results were compared and conclusions were drawn based on the interaction curves and interaction surfaces computed with expressions from specialized literature and sectional analysis software.
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Classes of Concretes
Authors: Moraru Cristinel , Adelina Apostu , Dan Georgescu
Published: April 2021

The freeze/thaw phenomenon is of interest for the field of transport infrastructure through the degradations it produces in the structure of construction elements. The climatic specificity of Romania on the one hand and the exposure to aggressive environments of construction elements in transport on the other hand, determine the importance of studying this phenomenon, its mode of action/propagation and also prevention and maintenance to ensure the functionality of buildings in transport infrastructure.

Currently, in the Romanian regulations [*], the assurance of sustainability is done, as in most national annexes for the application of EN 206 [1] in Europe, by a descriptive approach (concrete “designed to last”) referring to (with mandatory status) a series of requirements of the concrete composition (water / cement ratio, minimum cement dosage, entrained air, freeze/thaw resistant aggregates, etc.) and to the compressive strength (concrete compressive strength class) in depending on the classification of the element in a certain exposure class “X”.

The support of this descriptive national approach was based on the analysis of a large number of results obtained in a complex experimental program carried out by Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, by analyzing the results obtained by laboratory tests on “candidate” cements and cements “reference” (having a good behavior and traditional use) as well as “in situ” tests/determinations on construction elements made with both categories of cements and maintained in specific environments.

At European level, performance approaches to sustainability have made clear progress. The development of accelerated laboratory experimental methods, the establishment of performance criteria, classes of resistance to various environmental actions and the link between them and the classes of exposure to various environmental actions were the starting point for experimental research whose results will be presented in this article.

Thus, in conjunction with these modern approaches, an analysis will be presented on the experimental results obtained in research on freeze/thaw resistance to different types of cements, carried out in collaboration with the laboratory of the Reinforced Concrete Structures Department, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest and proposals for classification in different classes of freeze/thaw resistance.