bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Static and dynamic lateral non-linear pile–soil–pile interaction
Authors: Radhima Joani , Kanellopoulos Konstantinos , Gazetas George
Published: January 2021

Three-dimensional finite-element analyses are performed to compute the interaction factors between two neighbouring piles, under both static and dynamic horizontal displacements. The fixed-head elastic piles are flexible, embedded in a homogeneous saturated clay stratum, and loaded under undrained conditions. Soil inelasticity and soil–pile interface separation are modelled in a rational way. With the aim of improving fundamental understanding of pile–soil–pile non-linear interaction mechanisms, it is found that the effect of a loaded (‘source’) pile on an adjacent (‘receiver’) pile diminishes rapidly with increasing amplitude of imposed displacement, at a rate which depends on the angle of departure from the direction of loading between source and receiver piles. Gap formation at the back of a displaced pile affects the response of the group. Using the interaction factors developed, the behaviour of 2 × 2 and 3 × 3 pile groups is analysed and compared with the three-dimensional analysis of the whole group. Under static conditions the differences between front (‘leading’) and back (‘trailing’) piles are illustrated. Under cyclic dynamic conditions, the separation gap forms on each side of a pile alternately, leading to the peaks in stiffness diminishing, and leading to larger (than the elastic) group efficiencies. Superposition using proper non-linear interaction factors offers reasonable approximation, but only for moderate amplitudes of load, smaller than about one-half of the ultimate lateral pile capacity.
Factores psicosociales que influyen en el ausentismo
Authors: Pulido Guerrero Edgar Guillermo , Lora Carrillo Lesby Johanna , Jiménez Ruiz Luz Karine
Published: January 2021

El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar un modelo explicativo del ausentismo laboral, con base en la relación entre los factores de riesgo psicosocial y la mediación de la percepción de relaciones sociales y del estrés laboral; este se conformó con base en las predicciones de modelos teóricos como Demandas-Control, Desbalance Esfuerzo-Recompensas y Apoyo Social, implícitos en el instrumento usado, así como en los antecedentes de investigación consultados. Para ello, se lleva a cabo un modelado con ecuaciones estructurales con los datos de medición de riesgo psicosocial y ausentismo hecha con 252 trabajadores de una compañía agroindustrial del departamento del Cesar en Colombia; fue aplicada la Batería de Riesgo Psicosocial de Villalobos, Vargas, Rondón y Felknor (2013a, 2013b). Con base en los indicadores de bondad de ajuste, se descartó el modelo teórico inicial, así como otros dos modelos planteados, por lo que se afirma que solo algunas formas específicas de ausentismo son determinadas por el estrés laboral producto de la conjunción de riesgo ante relaciones interpersonales y demandas laborales, combinado con riesgo proveniente de condiciones extralaborales. La inclusión de las relaciones interpersonales en el modelo es totalmente esperable con base en los hallazgos de diferentes investigaciones precedentes. Por otro lado, la exclusión del factor control sobre el trabajo fue inesperada, pues en estudios antecedentes esta guardó mayor relación con el ausentismo que las demandas del trabajo. Se discute sobre las limitaciones del estudio y sobre la necesidad de complejizar en Colombia la investigación sobre la relación del riesgo psicosocial con otros constructos psicológicos y con las consecuencias organizacionales.
Tomar alcohol antes de salir
Authors: Pilatti Angelina , Caneto Florencia , Camerano Echavarría María Florencia , Verde María Pía , Pautassi Ricardo Marcos
Published: January 2021

La previa (i.e., el consumo de alcohol antes de asistir al evento de la salida en el que puede, o no, consumirse más alcohol) incrementa marcadamente el riesgo de experimentar consecuencias negativas asociadas al consumo de alcohol. Aunque el consumo de alcohol es muy prevalente entre los adolescentes argentinos, son escasos los trabajos centrados en la previa. Este trabajo describe el consumo de alcohol y la conducta de previa en adolescentes argentinos (13 a 18 años), identifica el efecto de las normas descriptivas y los motivos de previa sobre la frecuencia de previa y la cantidad de alcohol consumido durante esta práctica, y examina variaciones en el consumo general de alcohol y en la cantidad de consecuencias negativas derivadas, en función de realizar, o no, la previa. Participaron 402 adolescentes (52.7 % mujeres) que completaron una encuesta sobre consumo de alcohol, consecuencias negativas asociadas, conducta y motivos de previa, y normas descriptivas sobre estos encuentros. El 60 % de los adolescentes reportó conducta de previa en el último año en la que consumieron, en promedio, 70 gramos de alcohol. El 85 % continuó tomando alcohol después de la previa. Quienes exhiben conducta de previa, comparados con quienes beben pero no hacen previa, consumen significativamente más alcohol y experimentan más consecuencias negativas derivadas de este consumo. A nivel multivariado, las normas descriptivas fueron el mejor predictor de los indicadores de previa. Los hallazgos sugieren que la previa sería un factor de riesgo para tener trayectorias de consumo problemático y sería beneficioso prevenir este tipo de prácticas.
Modulación del estado de ánimo a través de estímulos musicales activantes
Authors: Castro Candela , Diaz Abrahan Veronika , Justel Nadia
Published: January 2021

La música provoca respuestas emocionales que se ven reflejadas en los cambios fisiológicos y cognitivos de los oyentes. Es una temática de estudio en común entre distintas disciplinas como la psicología de la música, la musicoterapia, la antropología de la música y la la neuropsicología, entre otras. Entender de qué manera la música puede incidir en el estado de ánimo de las personas permite contribuir al conocimiento sobre el efecto comportamental y a la creación de nuevas técnicas orientadas para regular las emociones mediante la música. Teniendo en cuenta estos antecedentes, se realizó un estudio con el propósito de evaluar el efecto de la percepción de una pieza musical con características activantes (grupo experimental) versus ruido blanco (grupo control) como modulador del estado de ánimo, desde la perspectiva de las neurociencias, contando con la participación de adultos de entre 18 a 40 años. La inducción emocional de los participantes se realizó a través de la observación de imágenes con valencia emocional negativa. Posteriormente, y bajo una distribución al azar, un grupo de voluntarios escuchó la pieza musical activante y otro grupo escuchó el ruido blanco; ambos estímulos auditivos duraron 3 minutos. Se evaluó el estado emocional antes y después de la percepción auditiva. Los resultados analizados a través de pruebas no paramétricas (test de Wilcoxon) indicaron que la música con características activantes moduló emociones de tristeza y ansiedad, disminuyéndolas significativamente. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la percepción musical presenta potencialidades para la reducción del estrés, así como la ansiedad, brindando evidencia desde un enfoque neurocognitivo.
Interdisciplinaria: Revista de Psicología y Ciencias Afines
Authors: Barboza-Palomino Miguel , Flores-Kanter Pablo Ezequiel , Salas Gonzalo , Caycho-Rodríguez Tomás , Ventura-León José
Published: January 2021

El estudio tuvo por objetivo realizar un análisis bibliométrico de Interdisciplinaria: Revista de Psicología y Ciencias Afines, considerando las publicaciones indizadas en la base bibliográfica Scopus (2009-2017). A partir de una muestra final de 173 artículos científicos, se realizó la descripción de la distribución de los documentos según el sexo de los autores y el idioma de la publicación, así también, se evaluó el cumplimiento de la ley de Lotka sobre la producción científica de los autores. Además, se estimaron índices de colaboración (Lawani, 1981, 1986; Subramanyam, 1983) y se visualizaron las relaciones entre los países de las instituciones de filiación de los autores firmantes. De igual forma, se describió la concentración de trabajos de acuerdo con áreas temáticas y metodologías de investigación. En los resultados se destaca una mayor presencia de mujeres en comparación con los hombres, tanto en la primera autoría como en el total de autores. Así también, se cumple con la ley de Lotka y se visualiza el incremento de trabajos colaborativos en los últimos dos trienios, lo cual se evidencia en los índices de colaboración descritos. Por otra parte, se encontró que los trabajos se concentran en áreas como la psicología educacional, metodología y psicometría. Finalmente, se observa que predominan los trabajos que siguieron metodología cuantitativa. El análisis y discusión de los resultados permite mostrar el trabajo realizado por Interdisciplinaria en los últimos años, siendo un referente para la comunicación del conocimiento científico en los países de Iberoamérica.
Poaching of marine living resources: Can the tide be turned?
Authors: Van As Hendrik
Published: January 2021

Certain marine living resources of South Africa are under severe threat from international organised crime syndicates in conjunction with local fishers. These criminal activities erode respect for the rule of law and lead to socio-economic degradation and the proliferation of gangsterism. The current government approach as custodians of the resources is to maximise the return from confiscations. SAPS are not using the full power of the law to address poaching of marine living resources, particularly abalone, as a priority crime and do not allocate their resources commensurate with the value of the commodity. As a country that is beleaguered by fisheries crime, overfishing and exploitation, South Africa must take a tough stance and should pursue criminal organisations with all the power that the state can muster. It must also ensure that national fisheries resource management is improved so that local communities can benefit. The implementation of a conforming strategy would be socially and politically unpopular, but the future benefits will outweigh the outlay.
La tecnología de la información en la cibercultura. Un análisis con la teoría de los códigos
Authors: Pérez Lasprilla Miller Antonio
Published: January 2021

La tecnología de la información es parte de un cambio cultural contemporáneo que configura el concepto de cibercultura. Sin embargo, el uso común del término “cultura”, sumado a la falta de consenso académico sobre su definición, dificulta su análisis en relación con aspectos como la producción de hardware y software, la edición genética y las nuevas dinámicas de organización social, económicas y políticas. En este artículo de reflexión se asume una interpretación comunicológica de la cultura a partir de la teoría de los códigos y una revisión del concepto antropológico de la técnica. El resultado de esta reflexión es una interpretación de la tecnología de la información como código y una identificación de posibles puntos de encuentro para entender, desde una perspectiva propiamente culturalista, los fenómenos que constituyen la cibercultura.
La construcción de la imagen de la mujer argentina a través del análisis de reacciones descorteses configuradas en comentarios en línea en redes sociales
Authors: Di Nardo Elisabeth Andrea
Published: January 2021

Esta investigación de naturaleza exploratoria tiene por objetivo analizar la construcción de la imagen social de la mujer rioplatense proyectada a través de reacciones descorteses configuradas en comentarios en línea en Twitter y Facebook. Aplicamos para ello, el punto de vista de la Pragmática Sociocultural a un corpus de 258 comentarios, del cual, específicamente para este trabajo, se seleccionaron y analizaron 24 instancias de descortesía a noticias que tienen por protagonistas a mujeres en la Argentina en el año 2019. Para este propósito, sometimos dicho corpus a las facetas de la imagen social asignada a la mujer (Di Nardo, en prensa) en el contexto sociocultural rioplatense, así como también, a las categorías propuestas por Kaul de Marlangeon (2008) para la descortesía complementadas por estrategias tales como la ironía, el sarcasmo, la burla, los epítetos lesivos de imagen (Kaul de Marlangeon, 1995) y la descripción denigratoria (Kaul de Marlangeon, 2009). Los resultados ratifican una imagen de mujer concordante con los estereotipos social y tradicionalmente aceptados, lo cual refuerza la construcción de una imagen negativa y desvalorizada de la mujer rioplatense.
Representación mediática de la inadecuación de la víctima. Estrategia legitimadora de nuevas violencias
Authors: Pardo Abril Neyla G. , Rodríguez Flechas Camilo Alejandro
Published: January 2021

El propósito de este estudio es determinar la representación de la construcción mediática de la inadecuación en un conjunto de narrativas. Se estudia una muestra de cuatro storytelling del Especial de ElTiempo.com (2017) “Treinta encuentros con la paz”. El objetivo del estudio es verificar las estrategias semiótico-discursivas apropiadas por el medio de comunicación y, establecer la relación que se genera entre la formulación del sujeto inadecuado – víctima- y las formas de proponer su revictimización. Se formula una correlación entre la inadecuación social y la evaluación mass mediática de carácter negativo, que implica legitimación de formas de violencia. El estudio propone la representación de la inadecuación como parte de la estrategia de construcción de miedo. Se reconoce el efecto que procede de la mediatización y, en particular, se verifican las consecuencias socio políticas, culturales y psicológicas que se instalan en las maneras como se construye la inadecuación de la víctima en la narrativa virtual. La reflexión conceptual procede de los trabajos más recientes que, sobre la visualidad gráfica, se han venido elaborando en estudios multimodales y multimediales, así como desde la semiótica visual que atraviesa los principios de la multimodalidad.
Las estructuras sintácticas y semánticas de "acusar" y "criticar" como verbos de valoración negativa a partir de una muestra del Archivo de Textos Hispánicos de la Universidad de Santiago
Authors: Estévez Rionegro Noelia
Published: January 2021

A partir del análisis de un corpus de ejemplos de lengua real, fundamento empírico en que se sustentan las hipótesis que se esbozarán a lo largo de este trabajo, tratará de realizarse una aproximación a la caracterización sintáctico-semántica de las diferentes construcciones que presentan los verbos criticar y acusar. Para ello, se atenderá a las distintas posibilidades de estructuración sintáctica que presenta cada uno de los verbos y la configuración semántica que a ellas se asocia, estableciendo sus diferencias y similitudes como verbos de valoración negativa.
Una aproximación lexicográfica a los insultos de grupo en Uruguay
Authors: Polakof Ana Clara , de Azevedo Andrés
Published: January 2021

El presente trabajo tiene por cometido incursionar en el estudio de los insultos de grupo –expresiones lingüísticas utilizadas para expresar una actitud peyorativa hacia una persona como integrante de un colectivo– desde un abordaje lexicográfico. Tal perspectiva toma algunos posicionamientos y planteos del debate actual sobre los insultos de grupo provenientes de la filosofía del lenguaje con el fin de iluminar sus posibles consecuencias en la confección y análisis de los diccionarios. Sobre la base de Pullum (2018), y el empleo de la distinción entre información semántica y metainformación, se estudia en particular el Diccionario del Español del Uruguay (DEU, 2011) en cuanto a la presentación de seis entradas léxicas correspondientes a insultos de grupo relativos a las clases sociales. Los resultados primarios obtenidos revelan un manejo no homogéneo de los criterios para diferenciar el contenido netamente semántico de otras informaciones pertinentes más ligadas al uso efectivo y dependiente del contexto. El trabajo, inscripto en un enfoque interdisciplinario, pauta un primer paso en el estudio lexicográfico y lingüístico de los insultos de grupo, tema muy poco estudiado para el español.
La expresión de la violencia instrumental y simbólica en Facebook y Twitter
Authors: Barrera Márquez Marco Fabio , Rodríguez Alfano Lídia
Published: January 2021

Con un enfoque multidisciplinario, se describen los procedimientos discursivos mediante los cuales se expresa la violencia instrumental (Fuentes y Alcaide, 2008) y simbólica (Bourdieu, 1990) en una muestra construida para realizar un estudio piloto dentro de una investigación más amplia. En el corpus seleccionado de Facebook y Twitter, los usuarios se identifican como miembros de dos grupos intersubjetivos (Bucholtz y Hall, 2005): “chairos”, simpatizantes de la izquierda, y “derechairos”, de ideas políticas conservadoras. La metodología es descriptiva apoyada en cuantificaciones.
Seismic Hazard and Risk Due to Induced Earthquakes at a Shale Gas Site
Authors: Edwards Benjamin , Crowley Helen , Pinho Rui , Bommer Julian J.
Published: January 2021

Hydraulic fracturing of the first shale gas well at Preston New Road (PNR), Blackpool, United Kingdom, in late 2018, marked the end of a 7 yr United Kingdom-wide moratorium on fracking. Despite a strict traffic-light system being in place, seismic events up to ML 2.9 were induced. The ML 2.9 event was accompanied by reports of damage and was assigned European Macroseismic Scale 1998 (EMS-98) intensity VI by the British Geological Survey. The moratorium was subsequently reinstated in late 2019. The study here presents a pseudo-probabilistic seismic risk analysis and is applied to the larger of the induced events at PNR, in addition to hypothetical larger events. Initially, site characterization analysis is undertaken using direct and indirect methods. These analyses show low-velocity deposits dominate the region (VS30‾=227  m/s). We test existing ground-motion prediction equations using spatially dependent VS30 to determine applicability to the recorded waveform data and produce a referenced empirical model. Predicting median and 84th percentile peak ground velocity fields, we subsequently determine macroseismic intensities. Epicentral intensities of IV, IV–V, and VI–VII are predicted for the observed ML 2.9, and hypothetical ML 3.5 and 4.5 scenarios, respectively. A probabilistic analysis of damage is performed for 3500 ground-motion realizations (2.1≤ML≤4.5) using the OpenQuake-engine, with nonlinear dynamic analysis undertaken to define building fragility. Based on these analyses, the onset of cosmetic damage (DS1) in terms of median risk is observed for the ML 2.9 event. Mean modeled occurrences of DS1 and DS2 (minor structural damage), 75 and 10 instances, respectively, are consistent with reported damage (DS1:97, DS2:50). Significant occurrences (median≥30 buildings) of DS2, DS3, and DS4 (minor to major structural damage) are likely for ML 3.5, 4.0, and 4.5 events, respectively. However, by comparing reported damage with modeled damage due to the ML 2.9 event and considering the fact that low macroseismic intensities (EMS-98 <4) are often not reported by the public, we conclude that the previously assigned intensity of VI is too high, with V being more appropriate.
An overview of composite versus amalgam for dental restorations
Authors: Gomaa Mohamed Salaheldin , Jameel Turki Kulaib , Saeed Shahad Kamal , Alhadhrmi Lujain Jamal , Qutub Raghad Hani , Sindi Ruzana Bakr , Al-Hussain Abdullah Fahad , Almousa Layla Adnan , Alshammari Nasser Salem , Kamal Nawaf Nezar , Alsharif Mohammed Abdulelah , Alnabet Nouf Rashed
Published: January 2021

When any loss of the tooth structure happens, it’s restoration using different filling materials is essential to compensate for the defective parts. Among the most commonly used dental restorative materials, dental amalgam & composite resins prevail. We have searched the relevant studies that compared composite resins and amalgam restorations to review them in different aspects including the clinical, economic, biocompatibility and patients’ perspectives. Regarding the clinical perspective, most of the reviewed investigations showed that composite resin restorations were associated with higher failure rates and developed dental caries more than restorations made by the amalgam alloys. There were no significant differences noticed between the two materials regarding the side effects as both caused nearly similar neurological and renal affection. Based on the findings from previous studies, we could only notice that some studies reported that microalbuminuria may be associated with composite resins. We have also found that patients’ satisfaction with the amalgam restorations was low due to the potential development of some side effects that were attributable to lead intoxication. In conclusion, we recommend that further investigations should be conducted.
The janitor’s knowledge and attitude towards household infectious waste countermeasure during pandemic COVID-19 in Manado city
Authors: Akili Rahayu H. , Mandagi Chreisye K. F. , Mahama Corry N.
Published: January 2021

Background: COVID-19 pandemic causes the emergence of rubbish indicated containing COVID-19 or usually called as infectious waste. The household waste sources related to COVID-19 prevention are such as ODP (people in observation) who had done self-quarantine and used APD (self protection equipment) such as mask and gloves. The purpose of this research is to find out the correlation between knowledge and attitude of janitor towards household infectious waste countermeasure during COVID-19 pandemic in Manado city 2020.Methods: This research was quantitative research-observational descriptive approach with cross sectional method. This research was conducted in 4 temporary shelters obtained in Singkil sub district, Bunaken sub district, Pall Dua sub district and Wanea sub district. The samples were selected by using total sampling technique. Total samples were 100 respondents. The research instrument was questionnaire. The analysis used Chi Square Test.Results: shows that the janitors’ knowledge is good already 53%, attitude 60%, and there is no correlation between knowledge and janitors’ attitude towards household infectious waste countermeasure during COVID-19 pandemic in Manado city.Conclusions: The management and countermeasure of household infectious waste is an important effort to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-12 (COVID-19). Tighter monitoring is necessary and also education/socialization of household infectious waste countermeasure is needed during COVID-19 pandemic either from the behavior side or the facilities used.
Diversidad beta del bosque seco tropical en el norte del Caribe colombiano
Authors: García-Q. Hector , Carbonó-DelaHoz Eduino , Barranco-Pérez Willinton
Published: January 2021

Entre septiembre de 2018 y junio de 2019 se hicieron  levantamientos florísticos en cuatro fragmentos ubicados en los departamentos de Atlántico, Bolívar, La Guajira y Magdalena, con el propósito de analizar la diversidad beta en el bosque seco tropical de la región norte del Caribe colombiano. Mediante el uso de índices conocidos se calcularon los valores de distintos componentes de la diversidad. Se observó heterogeneidad en la composición de los sitios y la modelación de la estructura de sus comunidades dominada por la rotación espacial de especies. Pocas especies se registraron simultáneamente en todos los sitios, en tanto que muchas estaban confinadas a lugares definidos según un modelo de distribución de abundancias del tipo de series logarítmicas. Un rasgo relevante fue la escasa aparición de especies de maderas valiosas, posiblemente debido a la extracción selectiva. Los fragmentos estudiados se justifican como objetivo de conservación biológica, pero dada la alta variación en la composición de especies encontrada, convendría incorporar más fragmentos para abarcar mayor diversidad del bosque seco en el norte del Caribe colombiano.
An Assessment of Information Communication Technology Skills and Competencies of Library and Information Science Professionals Working in Eastern State University Libraries, Uttar Pradesh: a study
Authors:   Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Singh M. P. , Kushawaha P. P. ,   Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University
Published: January 2021

Library and information science (LIS) professionals play a pivotal role in providing qualitybased services to the users. Owing to adoption of new emerging technologies in library and their characteristics of disruptiveness, library professionals are facing issues related to gaining skills and competencies in the digital environment. The present article highlights the information communication technology (ICT) skills of library professionals of eastern state university libraries of Uttar Pradesh. In addition, it focuses on the significance of differences in competencies amongst professionals. For carrying out study, the research approach was used as a survey method to collect data. Questionnaires were distributed to all working LIS professionals to evaluate their skills and competencies in digital era. The findings of the study have revealed that majority of the library professionals were facing problems, in some form or the other, in developing the required skills and competencies. They possessed only the basic skills of ICT application and significant differences amongst LIS professional were found in the level of ICT skills and competencies.
Rules on Assisted Reproduction on Slovenia – Collision Between Legislation on Biomedically Assisted Procreation and Regulation Relating to Safety and Quality of Tissues and Cells
Authors: Vrtačnik Urban
Published: January 2021

Regulatory landscape on assisted reproduction (AR) has changed over the last 20 years in Slovenia. Notwithstanding the fact that in-field legislation (Infertility Treatment and Procedures of Biomedically Assisted Procreation Act – ZZNPOB) has not been amended or derogated since its adoption in 2000, the regulatory framework has been supplemented with legislative acts, implementing EU Directives on safety and quality of tissues and cells used in treatment. Implementation of the latter (also through adoption of Act on Quality and Safety of Human Tissues and Cells for the Purposes of Medical Treatment – ZKVČTC in 2007) has predominantly failed to acknowledge the specifics of assisted reproduction (regulated by ZZNPOB), resulting in regulatory framework which lacks legal certainty and predictability. Article therefore addresses the collision between ZZNPOB and ZKVČTC and proposes solutions de lege ferenda to avoid shortcomings of existing regulation.
Challenges posed by novel vaccines in a hyperlinked society both to doctors and the health of their patients
Authors: Ihan Alojz
Published: January 2021

Medicine in the developed world is becoming progressively more commercialized since patients (or, more accurately, medical consumers) are increasingly becoming the driving force of what we call medical progress. The doctors are primarily obliged to treat and help patients, but will always have also (commercial) temptation before him: to facilitate the consumer's desires and, with a warm heart, shoot to the far borders of medical knowledge and technology. A good example illustrating dilemma of beneficial vs commercial medicine are ethical challenges of some new vaccines developed recently. Since their earliest introduction in the late 18th century, vaccines have undoubtedly saved the lives of millions, while also fundamentally changing the way modern medicine is practiced. Many diseases that were once widespread are now eradicated, yet vaccine development faces ongoing challenges, including some important ethical considerations. Today there are over 300 vaccines in development and included in clinical trials. Among them, anti-addiction vaccines (Cocaine, Nicotine, Fentanyl, Heroin, Oxycodone) received a burst of media attention, because these vaccines could help people in recovery from addiction; however, many ethical and legal questions may arise before clinical use.
Monitoring of Quality in Health Care Using Indicators: Challenges and Possible Solutions
Authors: Poldrugovac Mircha , Albreht Tit
Published: January 2021

A number of stakeholders identified the need to revise the national set of quality indicators. The objectives of monitoring quality indicators that were determined in 2010 for the most part were not accomplished. Key reasons include: insufficient communication between stakeholders after the indicator set was introduced, insufficient definition of human and financial resources necessary for indicators' monitoring, lack of a thorough ICT structure that could support indicators' monitoring and weak leadership for these activities. A new performance indicators' set requires a clear identification of the objectives to be pursued and consequently of the theoretical framework for the indicators. Mostly it is necessary in addition to the identification of the challenges so far, to also recognize what are the possibilities to strengthen this area in the future.
Legal Aspects of the Safety of Healthcare Professionals Working with Migrants
Authors: Brito Dalila , Vilela Idalina , Bessa Vilela Noemia
Published: January 2021

The coexistence of multiple cultures is a challenge that requires behavioral changes for the health professionals, in particular nurses. This work’s objective was to understand the factors and beliefs that influence the demand for health care from immigrants in the Porto metropolitan area (Portugal), and their accessibility to the health services. We developed an exploratory-descriptive qualitative study. We obtained the data through semi-structured interviews of eleven Ukrainian residents of the Porto metropolitan area. We used the twelve cultural domains of Purnell. Sampling was non-probability, of convenience and in “snowball”. Participants were required to give their free and informed consent. The results indicated some difficulties accessing health care due to inefficient communication, resulting from the language barrier and/or of different interpretations, and the disarticulation between the different immigrant support services. This study allowed the implementation of strategies designed to promote health care directed to immigrants, taking into consideration the diversity and vulnerability when accessing health services.
Responsibilities of Pregnant Women for on Going Pregnancy - Medical Aspects
Authors: Matijević Ratko , Erjavec Katja
Published: January 2021

There are numerous factors known to affect the course of pregnancy and adversely impact perinatal mortality and morbidity. Some of them are avoidable and some are not. Avoidable factors can be either under responsibility of medical staff, health care systems and communities; or under responsibility of pregnant women. By modifying and changing their lifestyle, pregnant women can influence some avoidable factors and improve their pregnancy outcome. However, by ignoring them, they can cause potential damage to themselves and to their unborn child. There is no well defined responsibility for women concerning ways they influence their pregnancy outcome; they have a full right to make decisions about themselves and their unborn children, whether right or wrong. Good communication, education and understanding are essential when dealing with these issues.
No Fault Compensation for Medical Injuries
Authors: Flis Vojko
Published: January 2021

For  decades  in  both  Europe  and  the  United  states  ,  the issue  of  compensation  for  victims  f  medical  injuries  has  led  to lively debates.  Many scholars have analyzed the adverse effects of the  „tort  system”  (based  on  negligence  standards  and  court proceedings) on the increasing costs of insurance premiums, on the patient-doctor  relationship  and  the  quality  of  care.  These  debates have  led  to  changes  in  compensation  in  some  countries. Compensation  would  be  based  not  on  negligence,  but  rather  on  a broader avoidable medical injury standard. Some nations have long operated  administrative  schemes  based  on  no  fault  principle.  No fault  compensaton  model  for  victims  of  medical  injuries  might  be characterized by the choices it makes regarding some key issues: (a) the definiton of compensation criteria in particular the status given to fault; (b) the organization of the decision -making process. What type  of  body  adjudicates  medical  claims?  (c)  Who  finances  the mechanism. What injuries are likely to be compensated for, to what extent and by whom? This article reviews the origins and operations of the no fault systems, the evolution of their compensation criteria, and how these criteria are actually applied.
The Use of Neuroscientific Discoveries in Criminal and Civil Evidence Law
Authors: Magyar Denis
Published: January 2021

The problem of objectification in criminal and civil evidence law is the basis of present work. Neuroscientific discoveries should be taken into account in evidentiary procedures when objectifying subjective facts. The first neuroscientific steps in objectifying pain and other subjective facts have already been made. The author outpoints certain limitations in the field of incorporation of neuroscientific discoveries into judicial procedures. He argues that some neuroscientific discoveries are already suitable for evidentiary purposes and their number will gradually increase. Neuroscience is looking forward to a gradual improvement of neuroimaging technologies that will increase the number of (reliable) discoveries applicable in evidence law. Neuroscientific discoveries are going to become an important part in objectification of subjective facts in criminal and civil procedures.Problem objektivizacije v kazenskem in civilnem dokaznem pravu predstavlja izhodišče predmetnega dela. Avtor zastopa stališče, da bi bilo koristno pri objektivizaciji subjektivnih dejstev uporabiti odkritja nevroznanosti. Ta je namreč že naredila prve korake na področju objektivizacije bolečine in drugih subjektivnih dejstev. Avtor opozarja tudi na omejitve, ki se lahko pojavijo pri uporabi nevroznanstvenih odkritij v sodnih postopkih. Zaključuje, da se lahko posamezna odkritja že uporabijo v dokazne namene in da se bo njihovo število še povečevalo. Nadaljnji razvoj bo namreč izboljšal nevroznanstvene metode, kar bo povečalo število (zanesljivih) odkritij v dokaznem pravu. S tem bodo nevroznanstvena odkritja postala pomemben del objektivizacije subjektivnih dejstev v kazenskih in civilnih postopkih.
Differentiating Medical Malpractice From Medical Complications
Authors: Vojković Hrvoje
Published: January 2021

Determining the notion of medical complications leads to differentiating in particular complications that are the unwanted result of a medical procedure. In particular, the factual and medical cause is to be sought in the nature of the damage and the circumstances of its onset through no fault of the physician, from those complications that are the undesired consequence of unprofessional medical care. In the latter case law theory and practice recognizes a situation that is standing in a causal relationship with legally relevant damages and which makes the medical practitioner civilly liable for harmful consequences. Therefore, complications in medical treatment procedures are a harmful event occurring in the medical treatment of a patient which is caused by the undesired and unavoidable course of illness/injury or the patient’s overall state of health, despite the fact that the medical treatment was performed completely lege artis, and in accordance with moral and ethical principles of the healthcare profession and standards in modern medical science.
Hypertensive response to exercise: prevalence and impact on stress echocardiography results
Authors: Karev E. A. , Verbilo S. L. , Malev E. G. , Prokudina M. N.
Published: January 2021

Background. Hypertensive response of blood pressure (BP) to exercise has substantial prognostic impact. Hypertensive response to exercise is shown to be a predictor for development of hypertension and stroke. The data concerning hypertensive response to exercise influence on stress echocardiography results are controversial. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of hypertensive response of BP to exercise and its impact on the result of the stress echocardiography on treadmill in patients with known or suspected ischemic heart disease. Design and methods. We analyzed 3434 tests performed in out-patient department during 1 month period (21.01–21.02) of every year since 2007 to 2020. We studied the occurrence of hypertensive response to exercise during exercise stress echocardiography on treadmill and its relation to positive results of the test. Results. The prevalence of hypertensive response to exercise varied from 8,6 % to 41,5 % (average in 14-year period — 23,24%), however, the proportion of tests with hypertensive response to exercise significantly declined in the period from 2015 to 2020 years. Patients with hypertensive response to exercise showed significantly more frequent positive tests in comparison to patients with normotensive BP response: 40,6 % vs 31,0% (r = 12,2, р = 0,0005), though yearly analysis showed no correlation between the number of tests with hypertensive response to exercise and number of positive tests (r = 0,21; р = 0,47). Conclusions. Significant correlation between BP response and stress echocardiography results means that hypertensive response to exercise has an impact on the test results, therefore antihypertensive treatment optimization is essential before test.
Lake or Estuary? Sedimentary and Benthic Foraminiferal Characterization of a Gulf of Mexico Coastal Dune Lake
Authors: Bellais Kaylyn C. , Barber Samuel T. , Beebe Donald A. , Clark Murlene W.
Published: January 2021

Coastal dune lakes are shallow estuaries located within dune environments that share a permanent or intermittent connection with the sea. Because coastal dune lakes are found in few locations worldwide (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Florida, etc.) they represent unique environments worthy of protection. However; there is a distinct lack of scientific data related to the function and ecology of coastal dune lakes, especially in the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to characterize the sedimentology and foraminifera of a representative coastal dune lake in Walton County, FL (i.e. Eastern Lake) and determine whether it shares geologic similarities with nearby estuaries. Ten Ekman sediment grab samples were collected along a transect spanning the length of Eastern Lake. The samples were processed to determine sedimentary properties and foraminiferal assemblages. Results from the sedimentary and foraminiferal analyses reveal 3 distinct depositional environments including: (1) a coarse grained, moderately well sorted, organic poor, sandy beach facies with both agglutinated and calcareous foraminifera, (2) a fine grained, very poorly sorted, organic rich central mud basin facies with mostly calcareous foraminifera, and (3) a coarse grained, poorly sorted, organic rich sandy marsh delta facies dominated by agglutinated foraminifera. These environments and foraminiferal patterns are also found in much larger nearby estuaries including Choctawhatchee Bay, Pensacola Bay, and Mobile Bay. Our results therefore suggest that coastal dune lakes may serve as down-scaled micro-estuaries and are functionally related to larger estuaries of the Gulf Coast despite their size.
Evaluation of Implementation and Unit Impact of a Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy Guideline: A Model-Based Approach
Authors: Drummond Nora , Carver Alissa , Bailey Joanne
Published: January 2021

Background

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. To address this, a large Midwestern hospital initiated a practice guideline. Practice guidelines should improve outcomes, but implementation of these remains challenging. At the time of initiation of the guideline, no implementation or evaluation plan was conceived.

Objective

Evaluate the implementation and unit impact of a guideline for the management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in a large academic health system in the Midwest.

Methods

Six objectives, guided by the constructs of the Ottawa Model of Research Utilization, were operationalized to evaluate the implementation and unit impact of the guideline.

Results

The guideline implemented was consistent with national recommendations. Intervention education was inconsistent across provider types. A survey of staff revealed insight into a unit in the midst of practice change. A chart review revealed below-target management of patients with severe range blood pressures. Not following the guideline was associated with hospital readmission.

Conclusions

Guideline implementation can be efficiently and holistically evaluated with a model-based framework, even in projects that were not initiated with such an approach.

Implications for Nursing Practice

Nurses provide expertise in model-based approaches that result in comprehensive evaluations of quality improvement processes.
Strategies for Strengthening Quality Improvement Projects in a Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Authors: Kesten Karen Swisher , Echevarria Mercedes
Published: January 2021

Background

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs must assure that attention to safe quality healthcare is threaded throughout the curriculum and prepare students to lead quality improvement (QI) initiatives in healthcare systems.

Objective

This article illustrates the integration of implementation science, QI methods, process and evaluation tools, and faculty enrichment as strategies to strengthen QI projects in a DNP program.

Methods

A three-phased approach to implement strategies to strengthen QI projects in a DNP program and to enhance faculty engagement was undertaken. A needs assessment drove the development of strategies to strengthen QI in a DNP program.

Results

Outcomes of implementing strategies to strengthen QI in a DNP program showed rapid uptake of the concepts of QI process models into course content within the DNP curriculum.

Conclusions

Strategies consisted of assessment of courses for gaps in QI content, faculty enrichment sessions on implementation science, QI processes and models, QI metrics and data analytics, embedding new content in the DNP program courses and the use of a rigorous evaluation tool for QI projects.

Implications for Nursing

When provided with QI mentors and tools, DNP students are prepared to lead QI initiatives in healthcare systems to improve the safety and quality of healthcare.
REB indexes
Authors: Aukutsionek S. , Batyaeva A. , Dyomina N. , Egorov A. , Matveev A.
Published: January 2021

“REB indexes” cover a wide range of economic indicators of Russian industrial enterprises. The article presents basic statistical data collected on a monthly, quarterly and semi-annual base by the Russian Economic Barometer by means of direct questioning of managers of industrial and agricultural enterprises. Regular extension of rows allows seeing dynamics of more than 70 series of indicators and conducting comparative analysis of data collectedsince 1991.
Investment behavior of enterprises in 2019-2020
Authors: Aukutsionek S.
Published: January 2021

The article outlines the trends of 2019 – the first half of 2020 in the field of investment behavior of enterprises. There are examined: the level of investment activity both in terms of equipment purchases and total capital investment; the rating of factors limiting capital investment; the main sources of funds for investment and principal motives to invest; the features of borrowings from banks to finance investment.
Elephants, Mobility and Captivity: What Can These Mighty and Majestic Animals Teach Us About Joint Health and Osteoarthritis?
Authors: Mobasheri Ali , Buckley Carol
Published: January 2021

The African bush and forest elephants, Loxodonta Africana and Loxodonta cyclotis, and the Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, are the largest land-dwelling animals. Elephants need to be highly mobile and active in order to find fresh food and water, and in the case of males, to locate females in estrus for breeding. Asian elephants walk up to 21 km each day and African elephants can walk up to 28 km per day. This high level of mobility in the wild is also important for maintaining an optimum musculoskeletal health. However, most zoo elephants live in restricted spaces and cold climates that require extended periods of indoor confinement are therefore unable to be as physically active. Zoo enclosures for elephants are relatively small with hard surfaces (i.e. concrete, tarmac and hard packed dirt), so they cannot exercise and are forced to stand on unnaturally hard surfaces continually. Physical inactivity in captivity makes them more prone to gaining weight and developing bone and joint diseases such as osteomyelitis, joint ankylosis and osteoarthritis (OA). Many health and welfare problems in captive elephants are likely to be caused by the lack of mobility. This perspective article focuses on the possible link between captivity, mobility, physical inactivity and the development of OA in captive elephants.
Flavonoids: Potential Candidates for the Treatment of Neuro-Degenerative Disorders
Authors: Devi Shweta , Kumar Vijay , Singh Sandeep Kumar , Dubey Ashish Kant , Kim Jong-Joo
Published: January 2021

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Amyloidal lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington disease (HD) are the most concerned disorders due to the lack of effective therapeutics and dramatic rise in affected cases. Although these disorders have diverse clinical manifestations, yet they all share a common cellular stress response. These cellular stress responses including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, proteotoxicity, and ER-stress, which combats with stress conditions, but the overwhelming cellular stress response induces cell damage. Small molecules such as flavonoids could reduce cellular stress and have gained much attention in recent years. Evidence has shown the potential use of flavonoids in several ways such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic, yet their mechanism is still elusive. This review provides an insight into the mechanistic ways of flavonoids against cellular stress response that prevent the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders.
Uncertain Nonlinear Process Monitoring Using Interval Ensemble Kernel Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Wang Xianrui , Zhao Guoxin , Liu Yu , Yang Shujie ,   College of Information Engineering, Beijing Institute of Petrochemical Technology No.19 Qingyuan North Road, Daxing District, Beijing 102617, China,   School of Marine Engineering Equipment, Zhejiang Ocean University No.1 Haida South Road, Dinghai District, Zhoushan, Zhejiang 336022, China
Published: January 2021

To solve uncertainties in industrial processes, interval kernel principal component analysis (IKPCA) has been proposed based on symbolic data analysis. However, it is experimentally discovered that the performance of IKPCA is worse than that of other algorithms. To improve the IKPCA algorithm, interval ensemble kernel principal component analysis (IEKPCA) is proposed. By optimizing the width parameters of the Gaussian kernel function, IEKPCA yields better performances. Ensemble learning is incorporated in the IEKPCA algorithm to build submodels with different width parameters. However, the multiple submodels will yield a large number of results, which will complicate the algorithm. To simplify the algorithm, a Bayesian decision is used to convert the result into fault probability. The final result is obtained via a weighting strategy. To verify the method, IEKPCA is applied to the Tennessee Eastman (TE) process. The false alarm rate, fault detection rate, accuracy, and other indicators used in the IEKPCA are compared with those of other algorithms. The results show that the IEKPCA improves the accuracy of uncertain nonlinear process monitoring.