bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Challenges for Trade Liberalization and WTO Rules: The Case of Macedonia
Authors: Muça Dr. Sc. Fisnik
Published: July 2018

The collapse of communist systems in the Former Soviet Union and former Yugoslavia led the way for the states of these systems to the democratic systems of governance and market liberalization. Membership of the former communist bloc countries in the Euro-Atlantic alliances and international organizations of various characters has been accompanied by political, economic and social challenges. The reforms which should be realized by the governments, aimed at meeting the standards that are imposed as conditions for membership, these reforms in the field of economy and trade, accompanied by the cost that the state, domestic companies, and the population had paid to the membership process. Through this research, we aim to highlight the challenges with which it was faced the Macedonian State and Government during the process of market liberalization, with emphasis on the costs associated with and during the World Trade Organization (WTO) membership process. Following the analysis of the official reports of the WTO and the Macedonian Statistical Office, as well as the interviews with Macedonian officials, we conclude that the WTO rules and principles have had an impact on the reduction of revenues from customs, domestic businesses and legislative changes in terms of foreign trade.
Metabolic syndrome in children aged 6 to 12 years with obesity in public schools of seven municipalities in the State of Mexico
Authors: Ávila-Curiel Abelardo , Galindo-Gómez Carlos , Juárez-Martínez Liliana , Osorio-Victoria Mario Luis
Published: July 2018

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MS), its components and its association with obesity and cardiovascular risk in school age children. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of 1,017 children from 6 to 12 years of age. Anthropometric information, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc and triglycerides were collected. The presence of MS and its components were determined by criteria of Cook et. al. (2003), modified for children and adolescents. In the analysis, the children were grouped by aged group of 6 to 9 and 10 to 12 years. The association between MS, obesity and cardiovascular risk was estimated using Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results. The MS was present with 54.6% in obese children. Obesity was the characteristic of greater association to suffer from MS with an OR=8.62 p<0.001. Conclusions. MS is high among children with obesity, and is mostly associated with insulin resistance and atherogenic risk.
Efectividad del diagnóstico clínico de las arbovirosis (dengue, Zika y chikungunya) en la Jurisdicción Tijuana BC México, 2015-2016
Authors: Arellano-Estrada Jorge Luis , López-Lara Cinthia Selene , Contreras-Ibarra José Antonio , Zavala-Martínez Alicia
Published: July 2018

[Not available]
Correlación de factores biopsicosociales con insatisfacción de la imagen corporal en adolescentes
Authors: Ordóñez-Azuara Yeyetsy Guadalupe , Vázquez-Azuara Nora Luz , Gutiérrez-Herrera Raúl Fernando , Mendoza-Rivera Rosalba , Riquelme-Heras Héctor Manuel , González-Contreras Héctor
Published: July 2018

[Not available]
Day-ahead power market behavior for a small supplier: case of Turkish market
Authors: Özözen Avni , Özgür Kayalica M. , Kayakutlu Gülgün
Published: July 2018

The day-ahead power market has become more complex with the allowance of block purchases from private sales companies. Resource handling has become the prominent problem for both energy suppliers and energy distributers. Complexity of the problem forces the approach by each role player in the market. This research handles the market position of a small hydropower plant owner who has negligible effect on market price construction in a complex competition environment. Based on an optimum schedule of three days, this model proposes policies for the power generator to maximize its profits. An MILP model, which uses the day-ahead market price forecasts from a hybrid SARIMA-ANN price forecasting model, is designed to optimize the day-ahead generation schedule. The case application in Turkish power market shows the increase of profit with a reliable generation schedule.
Research on treating algae-polluted reservoir water by the process of pre-oxidation/dissolved air flotation/carbon sand filter
Authors: Wang Yonglei , Wang Wenhao , Jia Ruibao , Li Mei , Liu Baozhen , Zhang Kefeng , Song Wuchang , Jia Junqi
Published: July 2018

As the water diversion reservoir showed high organic matter and high algae in summer, the potassium permanganate pre-oxidation/dissolved air flotation/carbon sand double filter process was developed. The test results show that the optimum operation conditions of the combined process were as follows: the dosage of KMnO4 was 0.3 mg/L, the dosage of polymeric aluminum ferric chloride (PAFC) was 3.0 mg/L (Al3+), the reflux ratio was 10%, and the dissolved gas pressure was 0.3 Mpa. Taking Ji'nan Queshan reservoir water algae pollution as the research object, the average removal rate of chlorophyll a, blue-green algae, turbidity, particle number and total organic carbon (TOC) reached 66.64%, 95.44%, 94.45%, 99.34% and 46.68%, respectively; the methylisoborneol (MIB) removal rate was 92.47%, the odor level decreased with process flow from raw water level 4 to effluent level 1.5, geosmin (GSM) dropped below the detection limit, and the total removal rate of trihalomethane formation potential (THMFP) was 33.56%. The effluent of the combined process meets the requirements of the Hygienic Standard for Drinking Water (GB5749-2006) after it is disinfected.
MUTUAL BENEFIT AND COMPLEMENTARITY IN THE ENERGY COOPERATION BETWEEN CHINA AND RUSSIA
Authors: Hang Ma
Published: July 2018

Energy cooperation is shown as an important component of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Russia, as well as the source of the driving force for the development and maintenance of sustainable development of China-Russia relations related to the coincidence of the strategic interests of the two states. The main attention is paid to the formation of a new concept of cooperation between China and Russia, caused by fundamental changes in the structure of world energy at present, leading to increased coordination and complementarity in the energy sector. The article notes that the excess of supply over demand led to a decline in oil prices; a significant share of oil and gas consumption moved to the East. The change in the structure of energy resources is reflected in the reduction in the use of traditional (non-renewable) fossil energy resources and in the increase in the use of non-traditional (renewable) energy resources. The article draws attention to the fact that in addition to strengthening the complementarity of the energy of the two countries, there is the application of new Sino-Russian energy technologies, which create great opportunities for cooperation. And despite the fact that in implementing specific energy cooperation projects, the parties have faced a number of problems, bilateral energy cooperation still has broad prospects.
EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE WITH RUSSIAN GAS FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ITS DIVERSIFICATION AND USE OF INNOVATIVE DIRECTIONS
Authors: Zhdanovskih R. M.
Published: July 2018

The article is devoted to the gas export of the Russian Federation, as well as to the search for solutions to the problems arising in the process of foreign gas trading by Russian gas companies. It is specially noted that, as a serious shortcoming of gas exports from Russia, it is only one-pointedness to European countries (mainly to EU countries) and Turkey. In addition, it is pointed out that the supply of natural gas (GHG) from the Russian Federation is carried out with a few exceptions only through pipeline systems. All this puts Gazprom and a number of other Russian gas companies in greater dependence, both from direct European importers and from GHG transit countries. It will be possible to solve the problem of diversification and reliability of gas export to the far abroad of the Russian Federation only due to a certain transition to a new technological type of storage and transportation of NG – in liquefied state. In this case, Russian gas companies will be able to export LNG not only via pipelines to a limited number of countries, but also in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by gas tanks to many countries of the world. This will expand the scale of gas trade to the size of oil trading operations. Russian gas companies and Gazprom, using innovative forms of trade in illegal volumes of LNG in the form of spot, futures and forward contracts, will be able to carry out more flexible trading operations and receive increased profits. At the same time, their dependence on European consumers of Russian pipeline PG and transit countries will decrease.
TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS IN MODERN CONDITIONS
Authors: Makarov A. I.
Published: July 2018

The history of Russian-Dutch relations dates back to the reign of Ivan the Terrible, when Dutch merchants first appeared in Arkhangelsk. Subsequently, at the end of the XVII centuryPeter I sent to European countries, including Netherlands, the Great Embassy, the results and experience of which played a recognized historical role in his large-scale socio-economic reforms in Russian Empire. At the present stage, Netherlands for Russia is one of the key suppliers of high-tech goods, services, competencies and management technologies mostly in all sectors of national economy, a transit country and a logistics hub for Russian exports, as well as an important partner in the field of cross-border investments. The article also analyzes the features of the Kingdom's economy, its place in global trade and key competitiveness rankings. In recent decades, Netherlands has confidently occupied one of the leading positions in European and world trade, ahead of many major economic partners and competitors. The author concludes that the importance of the progressive development of trade and economic relations with countries such as the Netherlands, cooperation with which has a generally positive impact on the transformation of the Russian economy, contributes to the diversification of exports, investments, attracting advanced competencies and innovations.
Upregulation of Connexin-43 is Critical for Irradiation-induced Neuroinflammation
Authors: Chen Wei , Tong Wusong , Guo Yijun , He Bin , Chen Lei , Yang Wenjin , Wu Chenxing , Ren Dabin , Zheng Ping , Feng Jiugeng
Published: July 2018

Background:

Radiation therapy is widely used for the treatment of pituitary adenomas.
Unfortunately, it might raise the risk of ischemic stroke, with neuroinflammation being a major pathological
process. Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system and have
been reported for playing important roles in ischemic stroke.

Objective:

Here we studied how γ-radiation would introduce astrocytes into a detrimental state for
neuroinflammation and provide new theory evidence and target for the clinical management of inflammation-
related neural damage after radiation-induced ischemic stroke.

Method:

HA-1800 cells were treated with γ-radiation and then the protein and mRNA levels of Connexin
(Cx)-43 were evaluated by western and q-PCR. The culture supernatant was collected and the
concentrations of the inflammatory factors were determined by ELISA. MiRNA complementary to
Cx-43 was designed through the online tools.

Results:

Cx-43 is upregulated in the treatment of γ-radiation in astrocytes and γ-radiation introduced
the detrimental function of astrocytes: cell viability was reduced while the apoptotic cells were increased.
Inflammatory factors like tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, interleukin-6, interleukin
1-beta were dramatically up-regulated by the irradiation. MiR-374a rescued irradiation induced
Cx-43 up-regulation of astrocytes and eliminated detrimental function triggered by γ-radiation.

Conclusion:

Cx-43 expression level may play an important role in the inflammation-related neural
damage after irradiation-induced ischemic stroke.
Habitus, ¿productor del espacio político? La elección en Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México
Authors: Alacio García Rosa Ynés , Hernández Gamboa Hugo
Published: July 2018

¿Cómo caracterizar el habitus[1] ? El habitus, como generador y unificador de características intrínsecas que determina bienes y prácticas[2] paralelamente, define la apropiación de los espacios y muestra coincidencias en las tendencias electorales, a su vez conectadas por tipos de relaciones socio-espaciales.

Los resultados electorales de 2003-2015, se relacionan con el concepto habitus desde los clivajes: marginación, densidad poblacional y estilos de consumo, debido a la conexión de patrones en las preferencias electorales para la contienda a la Jefatura Delegacional en Miguel Hidalgo, Ciudad de México. Para identificar pautas socio-espaciales de comportamiento electoral, se utilizan los sistemas de información geográfica como herramienta metodológica. A partir de la distinción de la apropiación del espacio y estilos de consumo, desde la densidad poblacional y los grados de marginación, se analiza el comportamiento electoral en Miguel Hidalgo; se suman coincidencias encontradas a partir de georreferencias.  

 

 

[1] Pierre Bourdieu, Capital cultural, escuela y espacio social, Siglo xxi Editores, México, 2002, p. 33.

[2] El habitus como ‘sistemas de disposiciones duraderas transferibles, estructuras estructuradas predispuestas a funcionar como estructuras estructuradoras, es decir, como principios generadores y organizadores de prácticas y de representaciones que pueden ser objetivamente adaptadas a su meta sin suponer el propósito consciente a ciertos fines ni el dominio expreso de las operaciones necesarias para alcanzarlos, objetivamente “reguladas” y “regulares” sin ser para nada el producto de la obediencia a determinadas reglas, y por todo ello, colectivamente orquestadas sin ser producto de la acción organizadora de un director de orquesta” Pierre Bourdieu, El sentido práctico, Siglo XXI Editores, México, 2007, p. 86.

 
Considering the Sub-Regional Cooperation in East-Central Europe – Some Conclusions on Integrating and Disintegrating Tendencies in the Sub-Regional Dialogue
Authors: Wieclawski Jacek
Published: July 2018

This article discusses the problems of the sub-regional cooperation in East-Central Europe. It formulates the general conclusions and examines the specific case of the Visegrad Group as the most advanced example of this cooperation. The article identifies the integrating and disintegrating tendencies that have so far accompanied the sub-regional dialogue in East-Central Europe. Yet it claims that the disintegrating impulses prevail over the integrating impulses. EastCentral Europe remains diversified and it has not developed a single platform of the sub-regional dialogue. The common experience of the communist period gives way to the growing difference of the sub-regional interests and the ability of the East-Central European members to coordinate their positions in the European Union is limited. The Visegrad Group is no exception in this regard despite its rich agenda of social and cultural contacts. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict confirms a deep divergence of interests among the Visegrad states that seems more important for the future of the Visegrad cooperation than the recent attempts to mark the Visegrad unity in the European refugee crisis. Finally, the Ukrainian crisis and the strengthening of the NATO’s “Eastern flank” may contribute to some new ideas of the sub-regional cooperation in East-Central Europe, to include the Polish-Baltic rapprochement or the closer dialogue between Poland and Romania.
Cutting the Ties? Generational Limitations in Canada’s and Germany’s Citizenship Laws
Authors: Weinmann Martin
Published: July 2018

This paper compares Canada’s and Germany’s citizenship laws with regard to regulations that delimit the acquisition of citizenship abroad. It finds that the respective regulations are designed similarly, but differ in some details. The Canadian regulation, for instance, prevents citizenship from being passed on to the second generation born abroad, whereas the German rule offers an opportunity to retain citizenship without seriously giving proof of a link to the country. From a normative point of view, there are good reasons to delimit the acquisition of citizenship abroad, but also for an opportunity to retain citizenship if people have a genuine link to the state and its political system. The regulations of each country show deficits in this respect. Thus, this paper suggests introducing requirements for an entitlement to regain citizenship for second or subsequent generations born abroad which could be designed similarly to the requirements for immigrants who want to naturalize.
Introduction to Volume 11 (2)
Authors: Margolin Andrey
Published: July 2018

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Crisis, Contestation and Social Order in Europe: A Sympoietic Analysis
Authors: Cherry Keith
Published: July 2018

Abstract Europe is facing multiple existential crises at once. I argue that these crises are rooted in larger, older patterns of structural contestation that have always animated the EU. Drawing from these patterns, I contend that there are at least two conceptions of social order at work within the EU – an autopoietic model based on bounded hierarchy and a sympoietic model based on decentralization and compromise. I argue that the autopoietic aspects of the Union, and neo-liberal representative democracy in particular, continually produce systemic crises. At the same time, sympoietic practices of inter-institutional adjustment allow us to weather such challenges, albeit imperfectly. Ultimately, I conclude that escaping the cycle of structural crisis requires moving more definitively towards sympoiesis by radically decentralizing and democratizing political and economic power in Europe.
Elites in Transition: The Case of Privatization in Veliky Novgorod, Russia
Authors: Aervitz Irina
Published: July 2018

This paper is an attempt to develop a critical reflection on the social, political, and economic transformation that Russia experienced in the last couple of decades. I argue that the continuity of elites in Russia is one of the major features of its transition. This paper attempts to illuminate the continuity of elites as a general trend by using the case study of the privatization process in Veliky Novgord, Russia. This project looks at privatization as an avenue or means of resource allocation by elites during the transition. The data were obtained from 16 structured and unstructured interviews conducted in Veliky Novgorod in the summer 2004 among the representatives of the business and political elites. This paper deals with one group of the nomenklatura elite – top enterprise managers.
Risking the Stability of EMU: the Asymmetric Application of the Stability and Growth Pact
Authors: Paudyn Bartholomew
Published: July 2018

Fiscal profligacy poses a high risk to the credibility of Europe common monetary policy and its ultimate objective of price stability. Unfortunately, the aim of preventing fiscally responsible states from being penalized by those with lax budgetary policies via inflationary pressures and interest rates is jeopardized as members breach the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). Moreover, there are major institutional inconsistencies in how states are treated under the current framework as is exemplified by the November 2003 ECONFIN crisis. What is witnessed is an antagonistic relationship between the programmatic and operational dimensions of monetary governance. Does the fact that half the members who have adopted the euro have also breached its rules signal that surveillance as regulation is being displaced as a mode of governance? It calls for a re-imaged spatial-temporal explanation of governance to adequately capture the political economy of EMU. At the core of EMU management are risk and uncertainty based modes of governing. Employing a governmentality approach, I argue that the audit is one prominent style of processing and institutionalizing risk as an aggregate future of monetary activity. By altering the administration and objects of risk governance the audit is perceived as reducing the susceptibility to failure. Hence, it has a performative function that extends beyond simply measuring deficit or debt to GDP performance and acts as a social and institutional process structuring a homogenous set of fiscal practices.
The Union of Laughter and Forgetting? The European Union and the Construction of its own History
Authors: Tesler-Mabe Hernan
Published: July 2018

As recently as one year ago, the European Union was seemingly on a direct path toward its avowed goal of "ever closer union." In numerous publications, EU authorities asserted that they had the confidence of European peoples desirous only of further integration. In the wake of the failed referenda for a European Constitution, however, enthusiasts of European Union can no longer be certain that their enterprise will succeed. The European Union, once strong and united, seems now an entity teetering on the edge of collapse. The reasons for such a dramatic shift are, of course, wide-ranging. Yet I would suggest that a great part of the general European disillusionment with European Union has come about as a result of the actions of the Europeanists themselves. Over the last decades, European officials have exhibited a frightfully high incidence of revisionism in their literature. This practice, I argue, has caused many Europeans to question the integrity of the project of European Union. For my presentation, I intend to undertake a close study of a selection of documents published by the European Communities. In this endeavour, I will compare and contrast the messages imparted in different editions of these works and consider the semiotic significance of the textual and non-textual language appearing therein. In this manner, I hope to achieve two aims. First, I mean to add a corrective element to a literature that, guided by a teleological interpretation of integration, endows integration with”logic" to be found only in hindsight. Second, I intend to examine the many meanings that the EU has had over its history and assess how closely policy has adhered to the ideological goals of prominent Europeanists. In sum, I hope to shed light on the fundamental disconnect between advocates of Europe and the "man on the street" and help establish a dialogue which may contribute to resolving the current impasse within the European Union.
Addressing threats: European foreign policy toward the Middle East since the European Security Strategy
Authors: Santini Ruth Hanau
Published: July 2018

This paper looks at the qualitative change in the foreign policy discourse by the European Union towards the Middle East, as well as the EU’s overall degree of consistency between words and deeds. By looking at European Council Conclusions as well as General Affairs Council conclusions, it will be argued that on a discursive level the Union has taken stock of the emergence of new threats to its security, and has started shifting its attention from state failure and regional conflicts to the threats posed by terrorism and non-conventional proliferation. Secondly, by differentiating among three kinds of coherence, it will be shown that the main source of incoherence in the Union external action in the Middle East is not to be found in its institutional or horizontal dimensions, but in its vertical level, that is between the Union and member states. Examples will be provided in order to substantiate an overall claim: the EU security discourse might have changed; its policies however remain driven by the difficult balancing exercise between Brussels and national capitals.
External Influences on Domestic Reforms in Post-Communist European Countries
Authors: DeBardeleben Joan , Zhyznomirska Lyubov
Published: July 2018

not available
Redefining Europe – Islam, Secularism and Diversity: “The Search for Europe’s future: Nations, religions, and politics”
Authors: Schmidtke Oliver , Young Jason R.
Published: July 2018

not available
Between Economic Utility and Regional Attachment: The EMU and Eastern Enlargement in the Spanish Eye
Authors: Kislenko Susanna
Published: July 2018

This paper uses Spain as the case study in furthering understanding of the forces that influence public opinion, specifically as they exist within the contemporary European context. To evaluate this, the focus is on two primary issues: the European Monetary Union (EMU) and the Eastern Enlargement. In order to explore the relationship between opinions towards EU membership, the Euro and support for enlargement, ordinary least squares (OLS) and logistic multivariate regression methods are used to model public opinion development. The argument put forth in this paper is that the formation of public opinion is influenced by both regional dynamics and utilitarian economic considerations. Within this framework, the concept of political symbolism is explored in uncovering the influence of cognitive mobilization, group attachment and cost-benefit factors as they relate to Spanish opinion on widening and deepening of the European Union.
The Danish Paradox: Intolerance in the Land of Perpetual Compromise
Authors: Stainforth Thorfinn
Published: July 2018

What explains the apparent contradiction between Denmark's reputation as a liberal, tolerant society, and the recent rise in wide-spread xenophobia there? The root causes of the present wave of xenophobia are fundamentally similar to the rest of Europe: they grow primarily out of the tensions inherent in the transition from an industrial to post-industrial society. However, its unusual virulence across an apparently inclusive mainstream political spectrum, and departure from the established norms in the country, is an outgrowth of the present challenge to the egalitarian, anti-modern ethos that has steered Denmark toward its present state. Modern Danish nationalism, heavily influenced by the ideas of N.F.S. Grundtvig, has emphasized anti-elitism, decentralization, and egalitarianism. However, for the first time since at least the 1920s these political cornerstones are being seriously challenged and re-examined. Immigration has become one of the symbols of, and primary battlefield in, the challenge to the socil consensus that has existed throughout most of the 20th century.
Tribunes and Patricians: Fringe Parties in the 21st Century
Authors: Nedelcu Harry
Published: July 2018

The mid and late 2000s witnessed a proliferation of political parties in European party systems. Marxist, Libertarian, Pirate, and Animal parties, as well as radical-right and populist parties, have become part of an increasingly heterogeneous political spectrum generally dominated by the mainstream centre-left and centre-right. The question this article explores is what led to the surge of these parties during the first decade of the 21st century. While it is tempting to look at structural arguments or the recent late-2000s financial crisis to explain this proliferation, the emergence of these parties predates the debt-crisis and can not be described by structural shifts alone . This paper argues that the proliferation of new radical parties came about not only as a result of changes in the political space, but rather due to the very perceived presence and even strengthening of what Katz and Mair (1995) famously dubbed the "cartelization" of mainstream political parties.
Has the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) Been Able to Promote Economic Diversification?
Authors: Yücesoy Vahid
Published: July 2018

Oil-rich countries have oftentimes been confronted with the challenge of diversifying their economies away from oil dependence given the exhaustible nature of these fossil fuels. Investing in sovereign wealth funds has been one of the most ubiquitous ways of preparing for the post-oil period. Investing in sovereign wealth funds rather than directly injecting the oil revenues in the economy not only precludes the outbreak of the Dutch Disease (which is known for giving rise to an exchange rate appreciation, crowding out non-oil industries and keeping the economy reliant on oil), but it also saves for future generations. Yet, in the case of Azerbaijan, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), founded in 1999, has only increased this reliance on oil. Using the rentier states theoretical framework, this paper will argue that the direct control over SOFAZ exercised by the president and the lack of consultation with the NGOs have made corruption easier, making the task of economic diversification more difficult. This has been possible because through corruption the president has often resorted to oil money to buy peace rather than invest it in economic diversification. As a result, since the foundation of SOFAZ, the country is more reliant, not less, on oil.
The President of the European Council as a leader: An application of the Contingency Theory
Authors: Kroqi Dorian
Published: July 2018

The Permanent President of the European Council represents the most important institutional development in the EU during the last decade. This paper attempts to apply the contingency model of leadership, developed by Schout and Vanhoonacker (2001) for the study of the sixth-month nation-state Presidencies of the Council of Ministers, to the operation of the office of the Permanent President during the current Eurozone crisis. The findings from the application of the model are then related to the broader principal-agent theory. The author argues that with a non-national and longer-serving President at the helm of the European Council, there is an improved balance and relationship between the demand for, and provision (supply) of, leadership on the part of the Permanent President. This, in the author's view, has implications for the principal- agent relationship that undergirds the functioning of executive institutions such as the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
Validation of Plasma Biomarker Candidates for the Prediction of eGFR Decline in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Heinzel Andreas , Kammer Michael , Mayer Gert , Reindl-Schwaighofer Roman , Hu Karin , Perco Paul , Eder Susanne , Rosivall Laszlo , Mark Patrick B. , Ju Wenjun , Kretzler Matthias , Gilmour Peter , Wilson Jonathan M. , Duffin Kevin L. , Abdalla Moustafa , McCarthy Mark I. , Heinze Georg , Heerspink Hiddo L. , Wiecek Andrzej , Gomez Maria F. , Oberbauer Rainer
Published: July 2018

OBJECTIVE

The decline of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes is variable, and early interventions would likely be cost-effective. We elucidated the contribution of 17 plasma biomarkers to the prediction of eGFR loss on top of clinical risk factors.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied participants in PROVALID (PROspective cohort study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for VALIDation of biomarkers), a prospective multinational cohort study of patients with type 2 diabetes and a follow-up of more than 24 months (n = 2,560; baseline median eGFR, 84 mL/min/1.73 m2; urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, 8.1 mg/g). The 17 biomarkers were measured at baseline in 481 samples using Luminex and ELISA. The prediction of eGFR decline was evaluated by linear mixed modeling.

RESULTS

In univariable analyses, 9 of the 17 markers showed significant differences in median concentration between stable and fast-progressing patients. A linear mixed model for eGFR obtained by variable selection exhibited an adjusted R2 of 62%. A panel of 12 biomarkers was selected by the procedure and accounted for 34% of the total explained variability, of which 32% was due to 5 markers. The individual contribution of each biomarker to the prediction of eGFR decline on top of clinical predictors was generally low. When included into the model, baseline eGFR exhibited the largest explained variability of eGFR decline (R2 of 79%), and the contribution of each biomarker dropped below 1%.

CONCLUSIONS

In this longitudinal study of patients with type 2 diabetes and maintained eGFR at baseline, 12 of the 17 candidate biomarkers were associated with eGFR decline, but their predictive power was low.
Probabilistic retinal exposure model
Authors: Ahmed Elharith M. , Early Edward A. , Kennedy Paul K. , Thomas Robert J.
Published: July 2018

Exposure of retinal tissue to a laser source requires two conditions: the person must be exposed to the laser beam and the laser must be in his/her optical field-of-view. The authors have developed a probabilistic model for the second condition. This model is based on random eye movements, known as saccades, about a look direction. This direction is an input to the model and is known either from head orientation or a task. The model calculates the instantaneous probability that the laser is in the optical field-of-view of the retinal tissues of fovea, macula, and retina. Because of saccades, the location of exposure will change several times a second. The duration of laser exposure for the look direction is then used to calculate the probability that the retinal tissue is exposed at least once, based on independent exposures from the saccades. The concepts and equations of the model are presented, along with example calculations from applying the model to a specific exposure scenario. For a given retinal tissue optical field-of-view, the primary contributor to the probability of exposure is the angle between the look direction and the laser.
Kirjasto osallisuuden ja yhteistyösuhteiden solmukohtana
Authors: Hyttinen Ritva , Tanskanen Ilona
Published: July 2018

Vuoden 2017 alussa voimaan astunut yleisiä kirjastoja koskeva lainsäädäntö (1492/2016) näyttäisi laajentavan kirjaston yhteiskunnallista toimintasädettä ja kasvattavan sen yhteisöllistä vastuuta. Lakiin on kirjattu, että yleisen kirjaston tehtävä on muun muassa tukea monimuotoista yhteiskuntaa, demokratiakehitystä sekä yksilöiden ja yhteisöjen osallisuutta. Kirjastoilta odotetaan entistä parempaa yhteisön tarpeiden tuntemusta ja kykyä tavoittaa myös ne, jotka eivät koe kirjastopalveluita omikseen. Yhden haastavan kohderyhmän muodostavat yhteiskunnan marginaaliin ajautumassa olevat nuoret aikuiset, joita kirjasto ei juuri tunne. Mistä nämä nuoret aikuiset voisi löytää ja miten käynnistää vuoropuhelu heidän kanssaan? Näkymättömät -- Nuorten digitarinat -hankkeessa on luotu toimintamalli, joka auttaa juuri näissä kysymyksissä. Toimintamallin tärkeä osa ovat taide- ja medialähtöiset työpajat, jotka toimivat vuorovaikutteisina kohtaamispaikkoina nuorille, kirjastoille sekä eri nuorisotoimijoiden sektoreille. Toimintamallin tavoite on kannustaa yhteiskunnan toimijoita voimaannuttamaan erityisesti niitä nuoria aikuisia, joiden mahdollisuudet toimia yhteisöissä ovat kaventuneet lähes olemattomiin.
Oppineisuuden puolesta
Authors: Forsman Maria
Published: July 2018

Arvio teoksesta: Sari Kivistö & Sami Pihlström: Sivistyksen puolustus : miksi akateemista elämää tarvitaan? Gaudeamus, 2018. 248 s.
Apuntes para una lectura de Carlos Matus desde los debates sobre “estilos de desarrollo”
Authors: Viedma María Celeste
Published: July 2018

El artículo ofrece una lectura de la producción de Carlos Matus de fines de la década del sesenta y principios de los setenta a partir de su puesta en serie con los debates sobre estilos de desarrollo. Se busca tejer un diálogo en el que convergen la pregunta por la planificación del futuro para los países latinoamericanos, su factibilidad material y política y los estilos o estrategias de desarrollo. En primer lugar, se analiza el modo en que Matus concibió la planificación atendiendo tres dimensiones: estrategia, viabilidad política y desarrollo. Su puesta en relación con los debates sobre estilos de desarrollo se aborda en la segunda parte del artículo siguiendo las mismas dimensiones. El trabajo concluye en la necesidad de revisar los modos en los que se recupera la obra de Matus en la actualidad.
Capitalismo y producción de subjetividad
Authors: Zubillaga Paula
Published: July 2018

Reseña de Alemán, Jorge. Horizontes neoliberales en la subjetividad. Grama ediciones. Buenos Aires. 2016. 192 p.
Aportes a un debate sobre el futuro de la integración latinoamericana y del Mercosur
Authors: Peña Félix
Published: July 2018

El actual es un mundo más poblado y más conectado. Por las tendencias que se observan son rasgos que tenderán a acentuarse en las próximas décadas. En un mundo con estas características la Argentina puede, si se lo propone, desarrollar relaciones comerciales normales y eventualmente intensas con todos los países, especialmente aquellos con los cuales se comparten intereses concretos. Pero se trata de una estrategia que implicaría consolidar la relación estrecha preferencial que el país ha pactado en 1991 con sus socios del Mercosur, a partir del acuerdo que pocos años antes habían celebrado entre la Argentina y el Brasil, los Presidentes Raúl Alfonsín y José Sarney.
Lo que importa es la pregunta. Aportes de la Economía Política Internacional en Latinoamérica para el debate en el contexto de crisis de la globalización
Authors: Zelicovich Julieta
Published: July 2018

En el artículo se analizan las características del desarrollo reciente de la Economía Política Internacional en la región latinoamericana. Se busca resaltar la contribución de la Economía Política Internacional a las Relaciones Internacionales, para cuestionar los procesos de transformación en curso, definidos como crisis de globalización. Para ello se recopilan  las preguntas de investigación de una serie de trabajos de reciente publicación, a través de las cuales puede apreciarse la capacidad crítica de este campo de estudio.

Palabras claves: Economía Política Internacional, Relaciones Internacionales, Crisis deglobalización.
Participación de Chile en el Consejo de Defensa Suramericano: moderación y pragmatismo
Authors: Riquelme Rivera Jorge
Published: July 2018

El artículo analiza la participación de Chile en el Consejo de Defensa Suramericano (CDS), desde su establecimiento en diciembre de 2008. En tal sentido, se sostiene que la contribución en dicho consejo forma parte importante de la prioridad latinoamericana declarada por la política exterior chilena. Asimismo, se argumenta que, al igual que en su participación en otras instancias de integración regional, el país ha asumido con moderación y pragmatismo sus actividades en dicho consejo. Ello ha supuesto que, junto con participar activamente en el CDS, Chile continúe fuertemente comprometido con el esquema hemisférico de seguridad y defensa.

Palabras Claves: Política Exterior de Chile, Política de Defensa, Consejo de Defensa Suramericano.
La burocracia norteamericana y el cambio de Política Exterior. La transición a la política de Derechos Humanos de Carter hacia la Argentina (1976-1977)
Authors: Avenburg Alejandro
Published: July 2018

Este trabajo analiza el rol del Departamento de Estado y de la embajada norteamericana en Buenos Aires en el proceso de implementación de la política de derechos humanos de la administración Carter hacia la Argentina. Diversos trabajos han destacado la resistencia de dichos sectores a la implementación de esta política. Utilizando documentos desclasificados del Departamento de Estado, analizamos aquí dos canales de implementación: el de las sanciones económicas y militares y el de los contactos privados bilaterales. Argumentamos que si bien estos actores se opusieron a la implementación de sanciones hacia la Argentina, en el canal diplomático bilateral hubo un consistente mensaje abogando por la implementación de medidas que buscaban mejoras en la situación de los derechos humanos.

Palabras clave: Derechos Humanos, Burocracia, Carter, Argentina.
Discusiones en torno a la necesidad de debatir la Defensa Nacional
Authors: De Santibañes Francisco
Published: July 2018

En este breve ensayo, presentaré algunos comentarios que surgen de mi lectura del trabajo publicado por Sergio Eissa en el número 53 de la revista Relaciones Internacionales. Ante todo, quiero señalar el importante aporte que significa iniciar un debate sobre la Defensa Nacional, tarea que los argentinos nos debemos hace décadas.
Ciudad, espacio público y hábitat intergeneracional
Authors: García-Doménech Sergio
Published: July 2018

El envejecimiento de las sociedades avanzadas es un hecho. Los programas intergeneracionales suponen un avance para mejorar las brechas etarias y la cohesión social. La arquitectura y el urbanismo, fieles a su compromiso social, pueden aportar valiosas propuestas disciplinares. Entre estas propuestas, el espacio público mantiene su vigencia como clásica herramienta urbana de integración entre diferentes colectivos. Por otra parte, la nueva arquitectura residencial intergeneracional promueve la fusión programática y la interacción social. Como caso consolidado, se estudia la experiencia de la plaza de América en Alicante, España, ejemplo de combinación entre arquitectura social y espacio público con sentido urbano. Como conclusión, las propuestas habitacionales homogéneas y los modelos urbanos segregados pueden originar aislamiento social. Las políticas sociales deben apostar por iniciativas combinadas entre arquitectura y espacio público que, como la expuesta, cohesionan la sociedad y en definitiva, crean ciudad.
La arquitectura de la periferia
Authors: Moreno Ortolano Juan , Martínez Pérez Alona
Published: July 2018

Este artículo examina la importancia del trabajo de Aldo Rossi y su libro clásico “La arquitectura de la ciudad”, con el fin de explorar el contexto de la periferia desde un punto de vista teórico. El artículo se enfoca aludiendo a la importancia del mismo en el contexto actual, entendiéndolo como una herramienta que sirve para analizar la periferia europea. De la misma manera, se busca indagar en su pensamiento y trabajo a través del estudio de la ciudad actual, y el análisis crítico que se ha desarrollado desde que se escribió su obra, insistiendo en el seguimiento teórico más reciente llevado a cabo por Ábalos y Herreros en Madrid y que conecta su trabajo con la obra Rossiana. Finalmente, el artículo analiza sus propuestas teóricas a través de un caso de estudio (proyecto) como el de la reciente periferia Norte de Madrid (2008-2017), verificando la aplicación de estas teorías en dicho proyecto, y destacando la importancia que la obra teórica de Rossi sigue teniendo en la actualidad.
Tensiones por usos y necesidades diferenciadas en el periurbano de La Plata: producir o vivir
Authors: Paggi María Guillermina , Di Croce Garay Andrea
Published: July 2018

La ocupación del periurbano de las ciudades es epicentro de conflictos derivados de usos diferenciados del territorio. En el caso de La Plata, los dos principales usos son el residencial (principalmente informales) y el productivo (la ciudad posee uno de los cordones frutihortícolas más importantes regionalmente). En ese contexto, la ocupación de terrenos a escala local se convirtió en un fenómeno cotidiano en los últimos años, expresión -entre otras cosas- de este conflicto entre usos.

El artículo propone un recorrido conceptual sobre el periurbano, un análisis de los procesos históricos de cada uno de los mencionados usos principales a escala local, y la presentación de un primer avance de un trabajo de registro de tomas de tierras en La Plata durante el año 2015.
En los parques: espacio público y cultura rock durante el tránsito de la dictadura a la democracia en Buenos Aires
Authors: Sánchez Trolliet Ana
Published: July 2018

Este artículo analiza recitales de rock y prácticas contraculturales realizados en los parques de la ciudad de Buenos Aires en un marco temporal que transita desde el fin del último régimen militar hasta los primeros tiempos del gobierno democrático. El objetivo es analizar cómo las expectativas generadas frente al cambio de régimen político, impactaron en las formas de uso y ocupación de los espacios verdes de la ciudad y contribuyeron a resignificar el legado material de la dictadura militar hacia los valores democráticos.
Sistema de soporte para la toma de decisiones en el ámbito urbano y regional. Caso de estudio: servicios energéticos de la provincia de Buenos Aires
Authors: Barbero Dante Andrés , Discoli Carlos Alberto , Martini Irene , Ferreyro Carlos
Published: July 2018

Este trabajo presenta el diseño, la implementación y el uso de un software que permite construir sistemas de soporte para la toma de decisiones –basados en índices e indicadores cuantitativos- que pueden ser aplicables en el ámbito urbano y regional. El software desarrollado permite mantener la consistencia de los valores de índices e indicadores aún en el caso de modelos sistémicos con ciclos. Además, puede ser acoplado a un SIG para visualizar geográfica y numéricamente los resultados y mostrarlos en un instante dado (modo ejecutar una vez) u observar dichos valores en función del tiempo (modo monitoreo). De esta manera, es posible observar cómo el cambio en el valor de alguna variable (índice o indicador) afecta al resto de variables del sistema no sólo desde el punto de vista numérico sino también geográfico.
Peningkatan Kompetensi Guru Dalam Perencanaan Pembelajaran Tematik Melalui Supervisi Kelompok Pendekatan Kolaboratif
Authors: Rukayah Rukayah
Published: July 2018

This research was conducted with the aims to improve the competence of developing thematic learning plans in improving the quality of thematic learning in class I, II, and III in primary school Ungaran 05. Subjek research in this action research is a low-grade teacher at SD Negeri Ungaran 05. The school action researcher was conducted in two cycles, with the stages of planning, acting, observing and reflecting in each cycle. The collected data is analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results of school action research concluded that group supervision with collaborative approach can improve the competence of lower class teachers in Elementary School Ungaran 05 in preparing thematic lesson planning.
In-Silico Methodologies for Cancer Multidrug Optimization
Authors: Hasan Doaa Mohamed , Eldin Ahmed Sharaf , Khedr Ayman Elsayed , Fahmy Hanan
Published: July 2018

Drug combinations is considered as an effective strategy designed to control complex diseases like cancer. Combinations of drugs can effectively decrease side effects and enhance adaptive resistance. Therefore, increasing the likelihood of defeating complex diseases in a synergistic way. This is due to overcoming factors such as off-target activities, network robustness, bypass mechanisms, cross-talk across compensatory escape pathways and the mutational heterogeneity which results in alterations within multiple molecular pathways. The plurality of effective drug combinations used in clinic were found out through experience. The molecular mechanisms underlying these drug combinations are often not clear, which makes it not easy to suggest new drug combinations. Computational approaches are proposed to reduce the search space for defining the most promising combinations and prioritizing their experimental evaluation. In this paper, we review methods, techniques and hypotheses developed for in silico methodologies for drug combination discovery in cancer, and discuss the limitations and challenges of these methods.