bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate oncologic therapy while ensuring neurovascular conservation (POTEN-C): A phase II randomized controlled trial of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SAbR) with or without neurovascular sparing for erectile function preservation in localized prostate cancer.
Authors: Desai Neil Bipinchandra , Folkert Michael Ryan , Leiker Andrew , Yan Yulong , Costa Daniel N. , Dess Robert Timothy , Spratt Daniel Eidelberg , Garant Aurelie , Hannan Raquibul , Timmerman Robert D.
Published: February 2020

TPS381

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) associated sexual dysfunction occurs in half of men following treatment for localized prostate cancer. Proposed mechanisms include vascular injury of adjacent internal pudendal arteries (IPA), penile bulb (PB), corpora cavernosa (CC) or neurovascular bundles (NVB). Ability to spare these structures has been limited by a presumed need to treat the entire prostate gland, while also preventing rectal injury. Recent innovations have challenged this issue: a) precise dose delivery with stereotactic ablative RT (SAbR), b) improved spatial mapping of clinically significant disease with mpMRI, c) rectal avoidance with rectal spacer use. Methods: POTEN-C is a multi-center phase II randomized control trial, which includes men with a) low-intermediate risk prostate cancer eligible for SAbR without ADT, b) potent by sexual composite score ≥60 on EPIC patient-reported quality of life instrument, c) mpMRI delineated disease (PIRADS v2 score 3-5) ≥5mm to at least one ‘spared’ NVB. After placement of rectal spacer gel and CT/MRI simulation, men are randomized to standard SAbR to 40-45Gy/5fx or neurovascular-sparing SAbR. In the sparing experimental arm, the prostate PTV is given 30Gy/5fx excluding unilateral ‘spared’ NVB, while a 40-45Gy PTV further excludes a 5mm protective shell on the unilateral ‘spared’ NVB+IPA+PB+CC. Centralized rapid review of initial contours/plans and online training materials are integrated. The primary endpoint is 2-year patient-reported potency, measured by EPIC sexual composite score. We hypothesize that neurovascular sparing SAbR will reduce 2-year EPIC score decline from a control of 20 to 10 (corresponding to a MCID). Assuming standard deviation 20, two-sided significance level 0.10 with two-sample t-testing, and 15% attrition, we intend to enroll 120 patients to provide 80% power to detect this difference. Secondary endpoints include sexual medication/aid use, relapse rates, GU/GI toxicity. Enrollment is ongoing. Details: http://www.poten-c.org . Clinical trial information: 03525262.
Phase III study of first-line pembrolizumab (pembro) plus lenvatinib (len) in patients (pts) with advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) ineligible for platinum-based chemotherapy: LEAP-011.
Authors: Loriot Yohann , Balar Arjun Vasant , De Wit Ronald , Garcia Jorge A. , Grivas Petros , Matsubara Nobuaki , Homet Moreno Blanca , Sbar Eric , Jia Xieyang Calvin , Dutcus Corina E. , Siefker-Radtke Arlene O.
Published: February 2020

TPS597

Background: KEYNOTE-052 (NCT02335424) results led to pembro, a PD-1 inhibitor, to become the standard of care for cisplatin-ineligible pts with locally advanced or metastatic UC with tumors expressing PD-L1 and for pts unable to receive platinum-based chemotherapy regardless of PD-L1 status. Len, a potent, multiple-receptor, tyrosine kinase inhibitor has activity in multiple solid tumors. KEYNOTE-146 (NCT02501096) results showed promising efficacy and manageable safety with pembro+len in previously treated pts with advanced UC, regardless of PD-L1 status. Methods: LEAP-011 (NCT03898180) is a randomized phase 3 study to assess efficacy and safety of pembro+len, compared with pembro+placebo, in pts with advanced UC. An estimated 694 pts will be enrolled. Adults (≥18 years) with histologically confirmed locally advanced unresectable or metastatic UC who are either cisplatin-ineligible with tumors expressing PD-L1 (combined positive score [CPS] ≥10) or ineligible to receive any platinum-based chemotherapy are eligible. Pts are required to have an ECOG PS of 0-2 and provide tumor tissue for PD-L1 analysis. Previous treatment with systemic chemotherapy for advanced UC is not permitted, except in cases of recurrence after 1 year of platinum-based chemotherapy for either muscle-invasive bladder cancer (neoadjuvant) or after radical cystectomy (adjuvant). Pts will be randomly assigned 1:1 to receive pembro 200 mg IV every 3 weeks for up to 35 cycles (~2 y) plus either len 20 mg or placebo orally once daily. Pts will be stratified as follows: ineligible for any platinum containing chemotherapy and ECOG PS 2 (CPS ≥10 vs <10); cisplatin ineligibility and CPS ≥10 (ECOG 0-1 vs 2). Radiologic assessment will include CT/MRI of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and bone imaging. Responses will be assessed per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). Coprimary end points are PFS and OS. Secondary end points are objective response rate, duration of response, and disease control rate per RECIST v1.1 by BICR; patient-reported outcomes; and safety. Tissue-and blood-based biomarkers will be explored. Accrual began May 6, 2019. Clinical trial information: NCT03898180.
A phase Ib study targeting PIM1 and CDK4/6 kinases in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (PICKRCC).
Authors: Holder Sheldon L. , Warrick Joshua , Zhu Junjia , Drabick Joseph J. , Joshi Monika
Published: February 2020

TPS771

Background: Over the last few years there has been a rapid increase in the clinically relevant agents available to treat metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). We note, however, that the vast majority of new agents available for mRCC do not exploit new clinical targets or pathways. We believe that the identification of new, clinically relevant targets in RCC will propel the field even further forward, expand treatment options, and lead to improved survival for mRCC patients. SGI-1776, a selective PIM1 kinase inhibitor, has previously been shown to induce reduction in tumor size as monotherapy and in combination with sunitinib in mouse pre-clinical studies of RCC. In our tissue microarray studies a subset of ~26% of RCC showed high staining for PIM1 kinase while only 1% of normal adjacent tissue showed similar high staining. Wildtype PIM1 is constitutively active, thus these data suggest that PIM1 activity is increased in a subset of RCC. Abemaciclib is a potent CDK4/6 inhibitor with an IC50 of 2 and 10 nM, respectively. It is also a potent PIM1 inhibitor with an IC50 of 50 nM. We have shown that abemaciclib decreases cell viability and increases apoptosis in RCC cell lines, and does so at greatest effect in combination with sunitinib. We have also shown that abemaciclib induces regression of RCC tumors in a mouse model of RCC, with the most rapid responses observed when abemaciclib is combined with sunitinib. Based on these data we have opened a phase Ib dose escalation study to determine the safety and tolerability of abemaciclib in combination with sunitinib in patients with mRCC. The study includes an expansion cohort at the recommended phase II dose to evaluate for a signal for efficacy. Pattern and intensity of PIM1 staining in tumor tissue will be evaluated as a potential biomarker of response. We are also collecting blood and urine to evaluate additional potential biomarkers of response. Methods: Clinical trial information: NCT03905889 .[Table: see text]
Performance Measures Based on How Adults With Cancer Feel and Function: Stakeholder Recommendations and Feasibility Testing in Six Cancer Centers
Authors: Stover Angela M. , Urick Benjamin Y. , Deal Allison M. , Teal Randall , Vu Maihan B. , Carda-Auten Jessica , Jansen Jennifer , Chung Arlene E. , Bennett Antonia V. , Chiang Anne , Cleeland Charles , Deutsch Yehuda , Tai Edmund , Zylla Dylan , Williams Loretta A. , Pitzen Collette , Snyder Claire , Reeve Bryce , Smith Tenbroeck , McNiff Kristen , Cella David , Neuss Michael N. , Miller Robert , Atkinson Thomas M. , Spears Patricia A. , Smith Mary Lou , Geoghegan Cindy , Basch Ethan M.
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE:

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that assess how patients feel and function have potential for evaluating quality of care. Stakeholder recommendations for PRO-based performance measures (PMs) were elicited, and feasibility testing was conducted at six cancer centers.

METHODS:

Interviews were conducted with 124 stakeholders to determine priority symptoms and risk adjustment variables for PRO-PMs and perceived acceptability. Stakeholders included patients and advocates, caregivers, clinicians, administrators, and thought leaders. Feasibility testing was conducted in six cancer centers. Patients completed PROMs at home 5-15 days into a chemotherapy cycle. Feasibility was operationalized as ≥ 75% completed PROMs and ≥ 75% patient acceptability.

RESULTS:

Stakeholder priority PRO-PMs for systemic therapy were GI symptoms (diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting), depression/anxiety, pain, insomnia, fatigue, dyspnea, physical function, and neuropathy. Recommended risk adjusters included demographics, insurance type, cancer type, comorbidities, emetic risk, and difficulty paying bills. In feasibility testing, 653 patients enrolled (approximately 110 per site), and 607 (93%) completed PROMs, which indicated high feasibility for home collection. The majority of patients (470 of 607; 77%) completed PROMs without a reminder call, and 137 (23%) of 607 completed them after a reminder call. Most patients (72%) completed PROMs through web, 17% paper, or 2% interactive voice response (automated call that verbally asked patient questions). For acceptability, > 95% of patients found PROM items to be easy to understand and complete.

CONCLUSION:

Clinicians, patients, and other stakeholders agree that PMs that are based on how patients feel and function would be an important addition to quality measurement. This study also shows that PRO-PMs can be feasibly captured at home during systemic therapy and are acceptable to patients. PRO-PMs may add value to the portfolio of PMs as oncology transitions from fee-for-service payment models to performance-based care that emphasizes outcome measures.
Editorial Comments and Symposium Info
Authors: And Symposium Info Editorial Comments
Published: February 2020

n/a
Correlated charge form factors and densities of the sd-shell nuclei
Authors: Massen S. E.
Published: February 2020

The expression of the two body term in the fac­ tor cluster expansion of the charge form factor of 40Ca is derived.lt contains the harmonic oscillator (HO) parameter bx and the parameter λ which originates from the Jastrow correlation function. This expression together with the corresponding one of 16O nucleus helps to find a mass de­pendence of λ and an approximate and fairly simple expres­ sion of the two body term of open shell nuclei in the region 16<A<40 which contains one free parameter, the HO parameter bi. The fitting to the corresponding experimen­tal charge form factor is quite improved in comparison to the HO one without correlations.
Valuing Sequences of Lives Lost or Saved Over Time: Preference for Uniform Sequences
Authors: Guyse Jeffery L. , Keller L. Robin , Huynh Candice H.
Published: February 2020

Policymakers often make decisions involving human-mortality risks and monetary outcomes that span across different time periods and horizons. Many projects or environmental-regulation policies involving risks to life, such as toxic exposures, are experienced over time. The preferences of individuals on lives lost or saved over time should be understood to implement effective policies. Using a within-subject survey design, we investigated our participants’ elicited preferences (in the form of ratings) for sequences of lives saved or lost over time at the participant level. The design of our study allowed us to directly observe the possible preference patterns of negative time discounting or a preference for spreading from the responses. Additionally, we embedded factors associated with three other prevalent anomalies of intertemporal choice (gain/loss asymmetry, short/long asymmetry, and the absolute magnitude effect) into our study for control. We find that our participants exhibit three of the anomalies: preference for spreading, absolute magnitude effect, and short/long-term asymmetry. Furthermore, fitting the data collected, Loewenstein and Prelec’s model for the valuation of sequences of outcomes allowed for a more thorough understanding of the factors influencing the individual participants’ preferences. Based on the results, the standard discounting model does not accurately reflect the value that some people place on sequences of mortality outcomes. Preferences for uniform sequences should be considered in policymaking rather than applying the standard discounting model.
Is intracellular Staphylococcus aureus associated with recurrent infection in a rat model of open fracture?
Authors: Gao Tao , Lin Junqing , Zhang Changqing , Zhu Hongyi , Zheng Xianyou
Published: February 2020

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine whether intracellular Staphylococcus aureus is associated with recurrent infection in a rat model of open fracture.

Methods

After stabilizing with Kirschner wire, we created a midshaft femur fracture in Sprague-Dawley rats and infected the wound with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged S. aureus. After repeated debridement and negative swab culture was achieved, the isolation of GFP-containing cells from skin, bone marrow, and muscle was then performed. The composition and viability of intracellular S. aureus in isolated GFP-positive cells was assessed. We suppressed the host immune system and observed whether recurrent infection would occur. Finally, rats were assigned to one of six treatment groups (a combination of antibiotic treatment and implant removal/retention). The proportion of successful eradication was determined.

Results

Green fluorescent protein-containing cells were successfully isolated after the swab culture was negative from skin (n = 0, 0%), muscle (n = 10, 100%), and bone marrow (n = 10, 100%) of a total of ten rats. The phagocytes were predominant in GFP-positive cells from muscle (73%) and bone marrow (81%) with a significantly higher viability of intracellular S. aureus (all p-values < 0.001). The recurrent infection occurred in up to 75% of rats after the immunosuppression. The proportion of successful eradication was not associated with implant retention or removal, and the efficacy of linezolid in eradicating intracellular S. aureus is significantly higher than that of vancomycin.

Conclusion

Intracellular S. aureus is associated with recurrent infection in the rat model of open fracture. Usage of linezolid, a membrane-permeable antibiotic, is an effective strategy against intracellular S. aureus. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res. 2020;9(2):71–76.
The Portuguese Maritime Voyages of Discovery: the exploration of the history of a city with an App as an educational resource
Authors: Faria Cláudia , Guilherme Elsa , Pintassilgo Joaquim , Mogarro Maria João , Pinho Ana Sofia , Baptista Mónica , Chagas Isabel , Galvão Cecília
Published: February 2020

In this paper we present an evaluation of an App for mobile devices, ‘Roteiro dos Descobrimentos’, as an educational digital resource for primary school students. The study involved the participation of 131 students and eight teachers. Data were collected from participant observation, students’ questionnaires and interviews to students and teachers. According to students, they learned new things, related with the topics explored, in an easy and funny way. Students also emphasized as positive aspects the fact that they had to face different challenges and the need to mobilize their knowledge to solve them. Teachers referred that students showed great interest and enthusiasm during the activities. As main gains, teachers stressed that the application fosters the relationship of students with the city, facilitates collaboration, and promotes students’ autonomy. In resume, it seems that the playful and interactive dimension of the App promoted the development of important skills such as the ability to interact with the environment, collaborative work, autonomy, and reading and interpretation skills. As a conclusion, there is a great receptivity to integrate mobile technologies in the teaching and learning process, but the role of the teacher can’t be dismissed, as a mediator and educator.
Les malalties del general Cabrera i la seva importància en la fi de la Primera Guerra Carlina (1833-1840)
Authors: PUJOL i ROS Joan
Published: February 2020

THE DISEASES OF GENERAL CABRERA AND THEIR IMPORTANCE FOR THE END OF THE FIRST CARLIST WAR (1833-1840): The historical importance of the diseases suffered by General Cabrera at the end of 1839 and the beginning of 1840 in the final course of the Seven Years’ War is analyzed. The lack of a clear leadership, which until then had exerted the Count of Morella, favoured the loss of a territory that was the last bastion of the Carlist army which resisted to the Pact of Vergara. That loss, inevitably led to the end of the war and the exile of the Carlist supporters.
Crossing the European boundary: The conjoined figures of colonizer and migrant in Zama (Martel, 2017) and The Other Side of Hope (Kaurismäki, 2017)
Authors: Taşkale Ali Rıza , Şima Erdoğan H.
Published: February 2020

Caught between the seemingly contradictory imageries of particularity and universality, 'European identity' could in fact be presumed but as a shorthand for ontological anxiety. The ('euro-') centric ontology that it denotes is marked by an ongoing ambivalence that both recoils from and accepts the superfluousness of boundaries. The obverse of this ambivalent concern with boundaries, we suggest, are the narrative efforts to consign it to the singular agency of the 'impossible' boundary crossing. Cinematographically speaking, the otherwise mute ontological anxiety is contained in the precariousness of the figures of colonizer and migrant. The way a 'European' cinema relates to these figures becomes all the more significant where 'Europe' denotes a challenging relationship, and not a 'thing'. It is in view of the ways in which they respond to this challenge that we examine Zama (Martel, 2017) and The Other Side of Hope (Kaurismäki, 2017). The focus, in other words, is on what nevertheless escapes their efforts: while Zama's out-of-place 'colonizer' obscures the inherent placelessness of colonial agency, Hope's symbiotic relationship between the self and the other withholds the reversibility of the 'self/other' dualism. In the instrumental visibility of their singular figures, we hope to show, both films contribute to the incidental visibility of the 'European' claim to transcend its own dualisms. The figures of colonizer and migrant are in fact the relatively visible symptoms of a cinematic labour whose ambivalences remain otherwise invisible.
Europe, spectrality and 'post-mortem cinema': The haunting of history in Christian Petzold's Transit (2018) and Aki Kaurismäki's Le Havre (2011)
Authors: Bardan Alice
Published: February 2020

This article considers the ways in which contemporary filmmakers such as and ) experiment with narrative and stylistic strategies to tell their own story about a haunted Europe caught, yet again, in a paranoid policing of borders, and marked by an increasingly tense political climate that gave rise to nationalistic anxieties and exclusionary practices. Drawing on , and on Érik Bullot's and Thomas Elsaesser's concept of 'post-mortem' cinema, I argue that by blurring time frames and by allowing the future to coexist with past and present, films such as Transit and Le Havre give a new twist to the problematic of negotiating Europe's past. Deploying the trope of haunting, both films mobilize a critical attitude towards the complacency of our own times, alerting viewers to the imagined futures and dreams of various figures from the past and to their capacity to conceive of a world radically different from the one in which we currently live.
The Increase in Thickness Uniformity of Films Obtained by Magnetron Sputtering with Rotating Substrate
Authors: Golosov D. , Melnikov S. , Zavadski S. , Kolos V. , Okojie J.
Published: February 2020

The titanium thin films obtained by magnetron sputtering with the rotating substrate at different distances between the substrate and magnetron centers were studied with regard to the uniformity of the film thickness distribution. On the basis of the experimental data obtained, the model for the magnetron film deposition during substrate rotation was developed. The analysis of the simulation results shows that the model error is not greater than 10%.
Experimental Study of the Liquid Cathode Components Transfer to the DC Discharge Plasma at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Sirotkin N. A. , Titov V. A.
Published: February 2020

The transfer processes of solvent and dissolved substances in gas phase from aqueous solutions used as cathodes under the action of atmospheric pressure DC discharge were investigated.The electric field strength in plasma (E), cathode voltage drop (Uc) and rates of solution evaporation were measured. The transfer coefficients were calculated. The effect of transfer processes on plasma physical properties was experimentally studied. The threshold characteristics of cations transfer process were determined.
Erosión de suelos y carencia alimentaria en México: una primera aproximación
Authors: Cotler Helena , Corona José Alfonso , Galeana-Pizaña J. Mauricio
Published: February 2020

El deterioro de la calidad de los suelos, debido a la pérdida de fertilidad y su erosión, pueden limitar la autosuficiencia y la seguridad alimentaria, lo cual afectaría principalmente a pequeños agricultores que dependen de sus rendimientos para su subsistencia, pudiendo incrementar su pobreza alimentaria. Cerca de la mitad de los suelos mexicanos se encuentran degradados y su efecto en la autosuficiencia alimentaria ha sido poco estudiada.A través del cruce de información de fuentes oficiales (INEGI, CONEVAL, SEMARNAT) a nivel nacional sobre la relación entre la erosión de los suelos agrícolas de temporal, con destino de autoconsumo y la carencia alimentaria en México se pudo observar una relación positiva moderada entre ambas variables (r=0.65). Aunque los resultados no implican una relación causal, si muestran claramente la conexión que existe entre la erosión de suelos agrícolas de temporal y la carencia alimentaria de la población a nivel agregado en el país. Los estados que presentan un mayor aporte al coeficiente de correlación son Guerrero, Michoacán, Guanajuato y Estado de México.
Indonesia Marine Debris: Banda Aceh Coastal Environment Identification
Authors: Ondara Koko , Dhiauddin Ruzana
Published: February 2020

Banda Aceh City, having an area of 61.36 km² with a coastline of 11 km which covers Ulee Lheu Beach to Alue Naga Beach. The research was carried out to determine marine debris statistics (type, amount and mass) which divided into 7 categories; plastic, metal, glass, rubber, processed wood (organic), clothing, and ceramics. This research also conducted to complement the Indonesian marine debris data which currently incomplete. We choose Banda Aceh as the preliminary location because its area affected by dynamic oceanographic parameters of the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal and bordered by several countries that could be a source of marine debris, thus making this research is important to do. Marine debris data were collected from March to May 2019, on the coast and waters surface. Data collection on the beach is carried out every 28 days using the transect method, while on the water surface by riding boats using visual observation techniques. Statistical results show that inorganic litter has the highest percentage and mass, which a mass density reached 288.37 g/100 m2 at Ulee Lheu Beach and 64.96 g/1 00 m2 at Alue Naga Beach. Plastic type dominates the type of marine debris on the beach about 92.2% and 51.4% on the water surface. The amount of plastic especially bottle continues to accumulate, it will not only endanger marine waters ecosystem but also potential to affect and damage the coastal environment. The results of this study are expected to provide input / recommendations for the government and related institutions in waste management in coastal and marine areas and tourism in a sustainable and sustainable way.
On Quentin Meillassoux and the Problem of Evil
Authors: Mangion Claude
Published: February 2020

The problem of evil and the injustice it brings out has a long history in western philosophy and it has been one of the core arguments against the existence of God as an all-powerful and all-good Being. In a number of texts Meillassoux agrees with this line of argument, but he also argues that atheism fails to take into account the injustice of evil. His central thesis is that while the existence of evil discounts the existence of the ‘revealed’ God, he proposes a messianic vision where we can hope for the arrival of a God who will have the power to rectify the injustices that have been committed. To justify the possible arrival of such a being Meillassoux describes the world as a contingent place such that things happen without a necessary reason. This explains why, in the past, novel and inexplicable situations (‘advents’) have arisen and, possibly, others might arise. One such possibility is the arrival of a God who will redeem all the injustices suffered within the world.
Learning to be human with sociable robots
Authors: Weiss Dennis M.
Published: February 2020

This essay examines the debate over the status of sociable robots and relational artifacts through the prism of our relationship to television. In their work on human-technology relations, Cynthia Breazeal and Sherry Turkle have staked out starkly different assessments. Breazeal’s work on sociable robots suggests that these technological artifacts will be human helpmates and sociable companions. Sherry Turkle argues that such relational artifacts seduce us into simulated relationships with technological others that largely serve to exploit our emotional vulnerabilities and undermine authentic human relationships. Drawing on an analysis of the television as our first relational artifact and on the AMC television show Humans, this essay argues that in order to intervene in this debate we need a multimediated theory of technology that situates our technical artifacts in the domestic realm and examines their impact on those populations especially impacted by such technologies, including women, children, and the elderly. It is only then that we will be able to take the full measure of the impact of such sociable technologies on our being human.
Una introducción a la teoría de la Metalengua Semántica Natural (NSM) y su aplicación a la pragmática
Authors: Fernández Susana S.
Published: February 2020

Este artículo expone los principios de la teoría de la Metalengua Semántica Natural (NSM por sus siglas en inglés), originalmente propuesta por Wierzbicka (1972.Semantic primitives. Frankfurt: Athenaeum) y luego desarrollada en una serie de trabajos por Anna Wierzbicka y Cliff Goddard, además de otros académicos que trabajan en el campo. El objetivo es presentar cómo esta teoría se ha aplicado al estudio de la semántica y de la pragmática para analizar distintos aspectos de los hábitos lingüísticos de un determinado grupo cultural sin recurrir a modelos de universalidad, sino más bien trabajando desde dentro de la lengua estudiada para reconocer conceptos claves y estilos comunicativos que le son propios. El artículo presenta los conceptos deexplicaciones semánticasyguiones culturales, que son explicaciones redactadas con la metodología deparáfrasis reductoraa través de la herramienta de la NSM. La NSM es un minilengua compuesta por una serie de conceptos muy básicos y traducibles a todas las lenguas que sirven como punto de partida para explicar conceptos más complejos. Esta teoría ha sido complementada por Cliff Goddard con el concepto delengua mínima, que también se presentará en el artículo. El artículo concluye con una exposición de las similitudes y diferencias que existen entre esta forma de hacer pragmática intercultural y la propuesta por otras teorías de la pragmática, incluida la teoría de la Pragmática Sociocultural de Diana Bravo y sus colegas.
On the Perils of Universal and Product-Led Thinking Comment on "How Neoliberalism Is Shaping the Supply of Unhealthy Commodities and What This Means for NCD Prevention"
Authors: Herrick Clare
Published: February 2020

Lencucha and Thow’s paper offers an important addition and corrective to the burgeoning body of work in public health on the ‘commercial determinants of health’ in the context of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Rather than tracing the origins of incoherence across policy sectors to the nefarious actions of industry, they argue that we need to be better attuned to the neoliberal ideologies that underpin these policies. In this commentary I explore two aspects of their argument that I find to be problematic: First, the suggestion that neoliberalism itself has some kind of deterministic or explanatory capacity across vastly different social, spatial, economic and political contexts. Second, I explore their concept of ‘product-based NCD risk,’ a perspective that disembodies and detaches risk from the social and structural conditions of their making.
Financing Long-term Care: The Role of Culture and Social Norms Comment on "Financing Long-term Care: Lessons From Japan"
Authors: Alders Peter , Schut Frederik
Published: February 2020

Based on the experiences of Japan and Germany, Ikegami argues that middle-income countries should introduce public long-term care insurance (LTCi) at an early stage, before benefits have expanded as a result of ad hoc policy decisions to win popular support. The experience of the Netherlands, however, shows that an early introduction of public LTCi may not prevent, but instead even facilitate later extensions of public coverage. We argue that social norms and cultural values about caring for the elderly might be the main driver of expansions of LTCi coverage. Furthermore, we posit that this expansion may reinforce the social norms supporting it. Hence, politicians and policy-makers should be aware of this possible self-reinforcing effect.
Aging, Pensions and Long-term Care: What, Why, Who, How? Comment on "Financing Long-term Care: Lessons From Japan"
Authors: Okma Kieke , Gusmano Michael K.
Published: February 2020

Japan has been aging faster than other industrialized nations, and its experience offers useful lessons to others. Japan has been willing to expand its welfare state with a long-term care (LTC) insurance to finance home care and nursing home care for frail elderly. As Ikegami shows, it created new facilities and expanded specialized staffing for home care, developed a country-wide assessment system and shifted responsibilities between the central and local authorities over that assessment and the determination of co-payments for LTC. Faced with rapid growth in demand for LTC, the government felt the need for new cost control measures. The Japanese experience illustrates that new social policies take time to develop. There is often a need to adjust. But there are also other lessons. The main one is that there is no direct relation between the degree of population aging and total health spending. While aging requires adjustments in the organization of care, and expanding LTC for frail elderly, international studies show there is no need to worry about the ‘unaffordability’ of aging. In this commentary, we have framed four "What, Why, Who, and How" questions about LTC to (re-)define the borderlines between public and private responsibilities for the range of activities for which some (but certainly not all) frail elderly as well as many non-elderly require support in daily life.
"It’s Not Smooth Sailing": Bridging the Gap Between Methods and Content Expertise in Public Health Guideline Development
Authors: Chartres Nicholas , Grundy Quinn , Parker Lisa M. , Bero Lisa A.
Published: February 2020

Background: The development of reliable, high quality health-related guidelines depends on explicit and transparent processes, methods aimed at minimising risks of bias and the inclusion of all relevant expertise and perspectives. While the methodological aspects of guidelines have been a focus to improve their quality, less is known about the social processes involved, for example, how guideline group members interact and communicate with one another, and how the evidence is considered in informing recommendations. With this in in mind, we aimed to empirically examine the perspectives and experiences of the key participants involved in developing public health guidelines for the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Design: This study was conducted using constructivist grounded theory as described by Charmaz, which informed our sampling, data collection, coding and analysis of interviews with key participants involved in developing public health guidelines. Setting: Australian public health guidelines commissioned by the NHMRC. Participants: Twenty experts that were involved in Australian NHMRC public health guideline development, including working committee members with content topic expertise (n=16) and members of evidence review groups responsible for evaluating the evidence (n=4). Results: Public health guideline development in Australia is a divided process. The division is driven by 3 related factors: the divergent disciplinary background and expertise that each group brings to the process; the methodological limitations of the framework, inherited from clinical medicine, that is used to assess the evidence; and barriers to communication between content experts and evidence reviewers around respective roles and methodological limitations. Conclusion: Our findings suggest several improvements for a more functional and unified guideline development process: greater education of the working committee on the methodological process employed to evaluate evidence, improved communication on the role of the evidence review groups and better facilitation of the process so that the evidence review groups feel their contribution is valued.
Degree Based Multiplicative Connectivity Indices of Nanostructures
Authors: S Sunantha  , P Gayathri
Published: February 2020

The Multiplicative topological indices of Phenylenic, Naphatalenic, Anthracene and Tetracenic Nanotubes are calculated. The indices like Multiplicative Zagreb, Multiplicative Hyper-Zagreb, Multiplicative Sum connectivity, Multiplicative product connectivity, General multiplicative Zagreb, Multiplicative ABC and Multiplicative GA indices are expressed as a closed formula for the known values of s, t. The proposed formulae will be very useful for the study of nanostructure in the field of nanotechnology.
Percepção do agente comunitário de saúde sobre qualidade de vida e qualidade de vida no trabalho
Authors: Guimarães Ximenes Neto Francisco Rosemiro , Gomes Liberato Benedita Tatiane , Guimarães Ximenes Maria Roselange , Dos Santos Francisco Diógenes , Coelho Ponte de Oliveira Karla Mara , Souza Ribeiro Gurgel Ana Gerúsia
Published: February 2020

O Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS), profissional integrante da equipe mínima da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), desenvolve seu trabalho com um olhar voltado para o processo saúde-doença-cuidado das famílias, sujeitos e comunidades, num território adscrito, com o intuito da melhoria da qualidade de vida destes. O estudo objetivou identificar o conhecimento do ACS acerca da qualidade de vida e qualidade de vida no trabalho e descrever o perfil sociodemográfico das famílias, sujeitos e comunidades. Estudo exploratório-descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvida com cinco ACS do território da ESF de Alto dos Honório, zona Rural de Cariré – Ceará, durante o período de março a maio de 2013, a partir de um questionário. De forma singular, existe a compreensão de que a qualidade de vida está diretamente relacionada às escolhas dos hábitos de vida mais saudáveis, associadas à sensação de segurança por sentir-se cuidado pela equipe da ESF e por ter a condição de cuidar da população sob sua responsabilidade. Os resultados apontam que os ACS compreendem parcialmente os conceitos de qualidade de vida e qualidade de vida no trabalho, associando estes a hábitos de vida saudáveis bem como a realização de suas práticas laborais com afeto e responsabilidade.
A Priori Estimation of Potential Degeneration of Continuous Multichannel Dynamic Systems
Authors: Dudarenko Natalia , Vunder Nina
Published: February 2020

The problem of a priory control of potential degeneration of continuous multichannel dynamic systems is considered in the paper. Degeneracy is a property of a system describing operability of a multichannel dynamic system together with the basic properties of stability, reliability and invariance to the changing conditions. An assessment of potential generation of a system and its configuration together with the interconnections and polynomial exogenous signal is proposed. Degeneration process of a multichannel dynamic systems is a process of the rank reducing of the linear operator of the system. This statement is a basic concept of the degeneration factors approach. Algebraic properties of the matrix of the system’s operator is considered, and the matrix is named as the criterion matrix. Degeneration factor is calculated with the singular values of the criterion matrix. The global degeneration factor is conditional number of the criterion matrix of a system. In contrast to previous solutions it is proposed to form the criterion matrix of a system with the resolvent of its state matrix. Deparameterization of the linear algebraic problem is realized by additive decomposition of the output vector of the system by derivatives of the exogenous signal, and the steady-state mode of the system is considered. The procedure of a priori estimation of degeneration of continuous multichannel dynamic systems is proposed. The ways to achieve the required value of degeneration of the criterion matrix of the system with the modal control methods are discussed. The paper is supported with examples.
Method for Ordering Procedures of Dividing States by Procedures with Two and Three Results Taking into Account their Cost and Weight of States
Authors: Efanov Dmitry , Khoroshev Valerii
Published: February 2020

A method for streamlining state partitioning procedures with two and three outcomes is considered. A terminology and methods of the questionnaire theory were used, and the sequence of partitioning procedures itself was defined as a heterogeneous questionnaire with questions having two or three answers. This class of questionnaires is special and is defined by the authors as a class of binary-ternary questionnaires. This is the simplest class of heterogeneous questionnaires. An increase in number of answers to a question in practice can give an advantage in parameters of the questionnaires, including in the indicator of its effectiveness – the average implementation cost. It is noted that the use of binary-ternary questionnaires in practice can reduce the average time for identifying events on a questionnaire, which is extremely important in those applications of questionnaires in which there is a time limit for identifying events, for example, in critical application systems. A method for optimizing binary-ternary questionnaires is presented, based on the search for the most preferred questions for each subset of identifiable events. The choice of preferred questions is based on establishing a comparison relationship between them. The article describes all possible types of comparison relations between two questions with two answers, two questions with three answers, and also between a question with two answers and a question with three answers. An example of obtaining a mathematical expression for a function that characterizes the preference of questions over each other, as well as a generalized formula for choosing the most preferred question for any heterogeneous questionnaires is given. An algorithm has been formed for the method of ordering questions, which allows one to construct a binary-ternary questionnaire with the lowest implementation cost in polynomial time. An example of a binary-ternary questionnaire optimization by the presented method is given.
Cybernetic Approach to Problem of Interaction Between Nature and Human Sosiety in Context of Unprecedented Climate Change
Authors: Soldatenko Sergei , Yusupov Rafael , Colman Robert
Published: February 2020

In this paper, from a cybernetic perspective, the human-nature interactions are considered in the context of modern climate change, unprecedented in its scale and rate caused by anthropogenic activity. The developed structure of the “climate-economy” cybernetic system is presented, the weaknesses of the global governance bodies are analysed, and the main causes of the uncertainties in assessing climate change and the economic damage caused by this change are discussed. It is noted that adaptation measures and strategies developed and implemented by governments of different countries and intergovernmental organizations do not eliminate the causes of global warming and, therefore, have limited capacities, since humans and nature can exist only under specified environmental conditions. Going beyond these conditions, due to climate change, can lead to a global biological catastrophe. Climate policy decisions are made under uncertainty due to the ambiguity of estimates of the future climate, which, in turn, is the result of an insufficiently adequate description of feedbacks in the climate system models. Using low-parametric models of the Earth's climate system, the influence of system’s feedbacks on tangible inter-model differences of climate change estimates obtained using modern climate models of a high degree of complexity is illustrated. Since the climate change adaptation measures proposed by experts are not the struggle with causes, but the fight with consequences, we see geoengineering as a radical adaptation strategy. In contrast to previous studies, we consider the problem of purposefully modifying climatic conditions, implemented by geoengineering methods, within the framework of optimal control theory with mathematical formalization of geoengineering objectives and methods for achieving them. In this paper, an example of the formulation and solution of the optimization problem for stabilizing the Earth’s climate through the injection of finely dispersed sulfate aerosol into the stratosphere is presented.
Cryptocurrencies: Legal and Shadow-Criminal Aspects of Turnover
Authors: Dorofeeva Victoria , Kaverzina Lyudmila , Zhmurov Dmitriy , Krasnova Tatyana , Burakov Valeriy
Published: February 2020

The authors enumerate and analyze key challenges that global financial and legal systems face in connection with the introduction of cryptocurrency. They present definitions of cryptocurrency used in international and Russian practice. The authors also study the court practice on crimes involving the use of bitcoins and examine the approaches to determining the legal status of cryptocurrency in foreign countries and in the Russian Federation. It is stated that at present the international regulatory practice lacks a common universal document that would regulate the use of digital (electronic) currencies. At the same time, a considerable number of foreign countries have already worked out their attitudes to virtual currency — ranging from the absolute prohibition of all operations to stimulating mining and payments in cryptocurrencies. The authors identify five key approaches to regulating the market of cryptocurrencies in international practice. They outline multiple risks connected with the partial substitution of official means of payment by cryptocurrencies. It is stated that in our country cryptocurrencies and operations involving them are now beyond the scope of law because cryptocurrencies are not recognized as an object of legal protection. However, a number of draft laws that regulate the issue and turnover of «virtual assets» are to be adopted in the near future. The authors identify key prerequisites for the use of effective regulatory approaches to operations with cryptocurrencies and the directions for the creation of a normative legal base for such operations in the Russian Federation. It is important to take measures and prevent the use of cryptocurrencies for the financing of criminal activities and terrorism. The authors use the analysis of the normative legal basis of the Russian Federation, existing theories and their own considerations to recommend an introduction of a favorable regime of cryptocurrency market regulation by implementing the best international practices whose essence (in general terms) is reflected in the clauses of this article.
Responsabilidad social universitaria y la calidad de servicio administrativo
Authors: Pumacayo Palomino Ilich Ivan , Calla Vásquez Kriss Melody , Yangali Vicente Judith Soledad , Vasquez Tomás Melba Rita , Arrátia Méndez Gissela Karen , Rodríguez López José Luis
Published: February 2020

El presente estudio tuvo como propósito determinar la relación que existe entre la responsabilidad social universitaria y la calidad del servicio administrativo en la universidad. El método fue hipotético deductivo, siendo una investigación básica, transversal correlacional, de diseño no experimental. La muestra trabajada fue probabilística, conformada por 268 estudiantes; utilizandose la encuesta y el cuestionario. El estudio concluyó que existe relación significativa entre la variable responsabilidad social de la universidad y la calidad del servicio administrativo en la universidad; esto implica afirmar que: cuanto mayor sea la responsabilidad social de la universidad, mayores serán los niveles de calidad del servicio administrativo.
Self- efficacy beliefs of pre-service teachers in teaching First Reading and Writing and Mathematics
Authors: YILMAZ Dilara , TURAN Hakan
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between primary school pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs in teaching Mathematics and First Reading and Writing courses. The sample consists of 484 1st and 4th grade pre-service teachers selected from four universities in Turkey. In the study, Mathematics and First Reading and Writing Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale were used as data collection tools. Besides descriptive statistical techniques, Independent Sample T-test was used to determine whether the pre-service teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs differed according to some factors and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between the pre-service teachers’ beliefs in teaching Math and First Reading and Writing. As a result of the research, it was found that the levels of self-efficacy beliefs of the primary school pre-service teachers in two courses were found to be high, that there was no significant difference according to gender, that the self-efficacy beliefs of the 4th grade pre-service teachers were higher in the Mathematics teaching, and that the self-efficacy beliefs of the pre-service teachers who chose the profession voluntarily were higher for teaching Mathematics. It was also revealed that there was a moderate positive relationship between self-efficacy beliefs of the pre-service teachers in teaching for both courses.