bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
El malestar social en la democracia: alienación política, clima socioemocional y legitimidad
Authors: Alonso Daniela , Brussino Silvina
Published: January 2021

La democracia atraviesa un periodo de alta conflictividad en Latinoamérica, reflejado en niveles decrecientes de legitimidad política y un incremento del descontento y malestar de la ciudadanía. En este marco, se analizaron las características de la cultura política local a través de la alienación política y el clima socioemocional como formas de describir el bienestar-malestar político. Además, se estudió el rol de variables de la cultura política en la predicción del clima socioemocional, enfatizando en su componente ideológico. Finalmente, se abordó la relación entre la percepción del clima social y la legitimidad democrática. Se condujo un estudio cuantitativo por encuestas sobre una muestra poblacional cuotificada de 450 cordobeses (59,1% mujeres; M edad = 33,7 años). Los resultados evidenciaron niveles elevados de cinismo político y percepción de anomia, bajos niveles de confianza política, eficacia política e integración social y un balance de negativo de clima social, presentando un escenario compatible con una cultura política caracterizada por la alienación. Además, las variables vinculadas a la alienación política, el voto y dimensiones ideológicas fueron predictores significativos de la percepción de clima social. Finalmente, el clima social predijo diferencialmente las actitudes generales hacia la legitimación del sistema político actual y de la democracia.
Stock Return Variations: The Validity of Systemic Risk, Size and Valuation as Explanatory Variables in the Lebanese Stock Market
Authors: Chaya Jamil , Hammoud Jamil A. , Saleh Wael A.
Published: January 2021

Understanding stock return variations and accounting for their drivers help academics and practitioners estimate expected returns and gauge risk exposures, thereby optimizing investment strategies. This paper seeks to study the effect of systemic risk, size and valuation on stock return, in the Lebanese stock market. The research design and methodology are the Fama French Factor Model (FFFM) as developed by Fama and French in their seminal work of 1993. The research demonstrates validity of the three variables in question, and that is consistent with results obtained for global equity markets. However, the results exhibit a negative market risk premium with respect to US T-bills, and a high level of factor inter-correlation for the period in question.
Strategies of Sustainable Cooperative Partnerships
Authors: Munir Misbahul , Prajawati Maretha Ika , Basir S.
Published: January 2021

Cooperatives also have an active role in efforts to enhance the life of the nation and to realize a national economy based on the principles of family and economic democracy. The problem faced by cooperatives today is that cooperatives are less able to become business institutions that provide good services to all members and society in general. Limited funds and low human resources become a barrier for cooperatives to develop. Partnerships between cooperatives and other financial institutions are alternatives to improve cooperatives in developing their businesses. This study purpose on developing a cooperative economic development through a strategic partnership approach between cooperatives and other financial institutions so that cooperatives can grow, develop, and be sustainable. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research using in depth interview with informant. The informant is a cooperative for savings and loan managers who are willing to be interviewed in Batu City. The results showed that the cooperative strategy in building partnerships between cooperatives and other financial institutions was carried out based on the principle of mutual benefit. Cooperatives need to improve themselves so that they can meet the feasible and bankable criteria. Thus partnerships between cooperatives and other financial institutions will be established, thus cooperatives will grow and develop.
Analyzing the Dynamics Between Macroeconomic Variables and the Stock Indexes of Emerging Markets, Using Non-linear Methods
Authors: Alqaralleh Huthaifa , Al-Majali Ahmad , Alsarayrh Abeer
Published: January 2021

This study empirically considers five emerging markets from January 1995 to July 2019 to see whether nonlinearity helps to investigate responses to macroeconomic shocks in stock prices. With Vector Smooth Transition Regression, it uses real effective exchange rates, interbank interest rates, industrial production indices, and stock market returns. It confirms that nonlinearity in emerging markets may stem from their susceptibility to high volatility arising from political and geopolitical turnovers or global financial liquidity. It highlights significant differences in the asymmetric patterns. Some emerging markets respond asymmetrically to macro-variables, while others suggest that stock returns adjust from high or low towards the middle ground. Policy-makers seeking acceptable, accessible, sustainable and replicable actions that help stakeholders to invest may get help from our study to understand the properties of emerging markets central to each country’s economic activity.
The Effect of Number of Visitors, Tourist Destinations, Hotel Room Tax and Accommodations on Original Local Government Revenue: Case Study West Sumatra Province, Indonesia
Authors: Lusiana Lusiana , Neldi Mondra , Sanjaya Sigit , Zefriyenni Zefriyenni
Published: January 2021

This research aims to discover 1) The effect of number of domestic visitors on Original Local Government Revenue (OLGR) 2) The effect of number of foreign visitors on OLGR 3) The effect of number of tourist destinations on OLGR 4) The effect of restaurant tax on OLGR 5) The effect of hotel room tax on OLGR 6) Number of accommodations as a moderating variable for relationship hotel room tax and OLGR. The study population consisted of 12 regencies and 7 municipalities. The sampling technique uses purposive sampling. The selected sample is considered the most appropriate to represent tourism according to Tourism Office of West Sumatra Province. The selected sample is 3 municipalities and 2 regencies. Data source obtain from Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) West Sumatra Province. Data analysis consisted of statistical descriptive analysis, model estimation test, classical assumption test, coefficient of determination test, F-test and t-test. The results show 1) The number of domestic visitors has a positive and significant effect on OLGR 2) The number of foreign visitors has a positive and significant effect on OLGR 3) The number of tourist destinations has a positive and significant effect on OLGR 4) Restaurant tax has a positive and significant effect on OLGR 5) Hotel room tax has a positive and significant effect on OLGR 6) Number of accommodations show evidence as a moderating variable for relationship hotel room tax and OLGR.
Data Cleaning Needs and Issues: A Case Study of the National Reproductive Health Assessment (RHA) Data from Solomon Islands
Authors: Nair Richard D. , Odrovakavula Latileta L. , Mohammadnezhad Masoud , Raman Reddy K. Venkata , Gohil Dilan A. , Sami Shiwanjani S.
Published: January 2021

Data cleaning is an essential part of any research work without which the validity and reliability of the data could come under the spotlight. Aim: to document common errors found during the cleaning of datasets and suggests ways of minimizing errors during data entry process, reducing human errors throughout data cleaning.

Design and Setting: a case study based on the national Reproductive Health Assessment (RHA) data conducted in Solomon Islands in 2013.

Objective: The main objective of the Solomon Islands RHA was to establish the health status of reproductive aged women between the ages of 15 – 49 for the Solomon Islands.

Method: data was collected using questionnaires and entered on to the SPSS database in the country by the local Solomon Islands research assistants who were trained by the Pacific Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center (PSRHRC). The data was brought back to Fiji where the cleaning process took place.

Results: findings of this case study showed that there were issues with the standardization of databases, database familiarization and data merging.

Conclusion: more training is needed for researchers who are involved in data collection, data entry and data cleaning to minimize such errors which could give results which may not be a true representation of the indented study.
Impact of Information on Food Stocking during Early Period of COVID-19 Outbreak: Survey Exploration between Canada and US Consumers
Authors: Lin Yuanfang , Wang Xuezhu , Dhar Tirtha
Published: January 2021

We summarize the exploration results from a survey study that asks Canada and U.S. consumers questions related to their acquisition and processing of information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, situation assessment at the beginning of outbreak, as well as food shopping and stocking behavior during the lockdown. Our analyses identified unique factors influencing consumers’ situation assessment and stockpiling decisions that are going along with the emerging social and cultural trends over the past two decades. These include the wide reach of internet-based media, multiple sources of information in terms of different media types, media languages as well as communication across country borders towards an individual’s immigration and other ethnicity background. Information obtained from social media sources is found to have statistically different impact on the initial situation assessment between Canada and U.S. customers. But learning COVID-19 news from non-English media source significantly increases the seriousness perception of consumers from both countries. Information acquisition from multiple language sources also makes a Canadian customer more likely to stockpiling food items. Consumers’ food stocking behavior from both countries are under the influence of societal and economic factors such as job security. Findings from our research contribute to the ongoing global efforts in mitigating COVID-19’s negative impact by generating effective policy and strategic recommendations for government and business communities to implement collaborative and constructive actions under the global pandemic.
The Impact of Employee Empowerment on Job Engagement: Evidence from Jordan
Authors: Alhozi Nadia , Al Hawamdeh Nayel , Al-Edenat Malek
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of employee empowerment (i.e., structural and psychological empowerment) on job engagement (i.e., physical, emotional, and cognitive engagement). A quantitative approach was adopted in order to achieve such a study aim, and the data was collected via an online questionnaire. The sample of this study consisted of 300 employees from the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), one of the biggest Jordanian organisations in Aqaba, with a total of 293 questionnaires retrieved and 7 excluded due to their being invalid for statistical analysis. This yielded a total of 286 accepted questionnaires, or 95.3% of the total questionnaires provided. Moreover, the Statistical Analysis Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used for data analysis, the results of which indicating that the level of implementation of employee empowerment dimensions had a medium rate amongst ASEZA’s employees, as the structural empowerment was applied more than the psychological empowerment. Furthermore, the level of present job engagement dimensions also had a medium rate amongst the surveyed ASEZA employees. The results also indicated there to be a significant statistical impact by structural and psychological empowerment on physical engagement and cognitive engagement, whilst there was no significant statistical impact made by structural empowerment on emotional engagement compared to psychological empowerment, which had a significant statistical impact on it. In light of the findings of this research, ASEZA managers must pay more attention to the role of empowerment of employees in promoting work engagement, since this enhances the organisation’s ability to achieve the appropriate strategy and gain a comparative advantage.
The Potential Contribution of VOCs on Ambient Air Odor
Authors: Ueno Hiroyuki
Published: January 2021

In order to evaluate the potential contribution of VOCs on ambient air odor in roadside, urban, suburban and mountainous environments, the odor activity values (OAVs) of 66 VOCs were calculated using the environmental concentrations and the odor detection threshold values. The OAVs were less than one, but were not small, considering previous reports on odor concentrations in urban ambient air. The OAVs from roadside and urban areas were nearly identical, indicating that automobile exhaust gas does not have an important role in the potential odor. Acetaldehyde, which is directly emitted from anthropogenic sources and is also formed as a byproduct of photochemical reactions in the air, appears to be the most important substance contributing to the potential odor in each area. We also found that the contribution of biogenic VOCs was large in mountainous regions. In order to determine more precise OAVs, further work is required to generate more reliable odor detection threshold values.
Dawne zabezpieczenia konstrukcyjnych elementów drewnianych wpływające szkodliwie na człowieka i środowisko
Authors: Błaszczyński Tomasz Z. , Ksit Barbara , Pilch Roman
Published: January 2021

W artykule przedstawiono dawne popularne zabezpieczenie drewna konstrukcyjnego ze względu na wilgoć i owady. Ekotoksyczny olej kreozotowy jest do dnia dzisiejszego stosowany jako środek zabezpieczający konstrukcje, które stykają się z gruntem, wodą i powietrzem. Kreozot, stosowany do impregnacji podkładów kolejowych, podrozjazdnic oraz mostownic, a także słupów linii energetycznych uznano za bezprogowy czynnik rakotwórczy i sklasyfikowano jako substancję rakotwórczą kategorii 1B. Obecnie w kraju podejmuje się próby neutralizacji tego materiału celem ochrony środowiska. Celem artykułu jest wykazanie, że dawne impregnowane elementy drewniane nie powinny dostawać drugiego życia, choć ich budowa i struktura nadal nie uległy destrukcji pomimo ich długoletniej eksploatacji. W artykule przedstawiono różne metody neutralizacji, porównano strukturę drewna zdegradowanego i bez śladów destrukcji po wieloletnim działaniu impregnatu.
Assessment of the effectiveness of computer vision using the OpenCV package in finding the centre of a drilled hole in wood based materials
Authors: Król Patryk , Król Katarzyna
Published: January 2021

Assessment of the effectiveness of computer vision using the OpenCV package in finding the centre of a drilled hole in wood based materials. Small diameter holes made in wood based materials were scanned by non professional scanning equipment and then analysed to determine the location of the hole. The quality of the hole centre estimation was evaluated by a survey of 21 people. It has been shown that the evaluation using the HoughCirlcles function has an error of less than 0.05 mm in 18 out of 28 cases.
Pregnant woman with circumvallate placenta and suspected fetal hypotrophy caused by placental insufficiency: a case report
Authors: Surówka Jadwiga , Matuszczyk Dorota
Published: January 2021

Background: The circumvallate placenta is a rare pathology of the human placenta that occurs in 1–2% of pregnancies. It is characterized by extrachorial placental development, resulting in a ring formation along the edges of the placenta, which leads to efficiency impairment. As a consequence, it causes an intrauterine fetal hypotrophy. The fetal hypotrophic pregnancies are classified as high-risk pregnancies, requiring not only intensive monitoring of fetal development but also maternal and fetal care by the highest reference clinical center. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to analyze the case of a patient with circumvallate placenta and fetal hypotrophy suspicion. Material and methods: The study was based on the case study method. The data was obtained by analyzing medical documentation collected during hospitalization. The patient was interviewed and observed. All of the selected parameters were measured and scaled. Case study: A 30-year-old primiparous woman at 38+1 weeks gestation, with diagnosed circumvallate placenta and suspected fetal hypotrophy. The pregnancy had several complications, including gestational hypothyroidism. There was spotting and imminent abortion in the first trimester and in the second and third trimester, the patient was treated for vaginal mycosis. There was a risk of preterm labor in the third trimester. The patient was admitted to the delivery room in the first stage of labor. The course of first stage of labor was normal however the second stage of labor was complicated. Obstructed labor with ace presentation, mentoposterior position. A lower uterine segment cesarean section (LUSCS) was performed and a live full-term female infant was delivered, which was found to be small for gestational age (SGA). The course of the early puerperium was uncomplicated with an expected duration of stay in the neonatology department. Both mother and baby were discharged from hospital on postpartum day 3. Conclusions: Circumvallate placenta is not a contraindication to natural delivery however is associated with an increased risk of many perinatal complications. Holistic care during delivery and the early puerperium requires specialized knowledge and skills of medical staff in taking care of both of the mother and the child.
Editorial
Authors: Skorupski Jacek
Published: January 2021

I am pleased to announce that the handing over of the 130th volume of the WUT Journal of Transportation Engineering to you coincides with the launch of the digital archive of previous journal's issues from 2014–2018. As a result, our website currently has a collection of over 650 articles on various aspects of the design and operation of transport devices and systems from all modes of transport. The papers have been prepared by eminent experts from many academic centers as well as practitioners. The WUT Journal of Transportation Engineering archive can be an excellent base for conducting literature studies on the subject. The works contained therein can be a starting point and inspiration for further research.
The current issue contains eight articles - six on air transport, one on rail, and urban transportation. The topics of papers related to air transport include safety issues concerning environmental threats and the organization of baggage control systems, as well as slot allocation at the airport, management of crises in air traffic, calculation of aerodynamic loads using flight data records, and the concept of the APM (Automated People Mover) transport system for the newly built airport. Article related to rail transport concerns model-ing vehicle movement along a curved track with vertical irregularity. On the other hand, the paper's theme on urban transport is very up-to-date because it concerns the concept of modifying the point of passenger exchange in response to COVID-19 threats.
The next issue of the journal will be a special edition devoted to digital railways. Implementing the European Train Control System (ETCS), a component of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) cooperating with the GSM-R network, is a big challenge for practitioners and the scientific community related to rail traffic control. I sincerely encourage you to prepare publications presenting the results of your work in this area. Detailed information on this issue can be found on our website at Call for Papers.
The papers included in volume 130 are available in a digital format on our website: https://pnpw-transport.publisherspanel.com. The archive of volumes from 2014 is also available at the same address.
EU-Sanktionspolitik in geopolitischen Zeiten: Europas schärfstes Außeninstrument und seine Herausforderungen
Authors: Helwig Niklas , Jokela Juha , Portela Clara
Published: January 2021

Sanctions are one of the toughest and most coercive tools available to the European Union (EU). They are increasingly used in order to respond to breaches of international norms and adverse security developments in the neighbourhood and beyond. However, the EU sanctions policy is facing a number of challenges related to the efficiency of decision-making, shortcomings in the coherent implementation of restrictive measures, as well as the adjustments to the post-Brexit relationship with the United Kingdom. This article analyses these key challenges for EU sanctions policy. Against the backdrop of an intensifying global competition, it points out the need to weatherproof this policy tool. The current debate on the future of the EU provides an opportunity to clarify the strategic rationale of EU sanctions and to fine-tune the sanctions machinery.
Introducing Park Facilities and Novelties to Support Individual’s Intention to (Re)Visit
Authors: Opačak Marija
Published: January 2021

Many developed countries have recognized the importance of public parks in sustainable development of cities as they help minimizing the negative impact of urbanization. Developing countries, on the other hand, are facing problems such as lack of public awareness and inadequate facilities for sports and social activities to attract visitors to public parks, which positively affect the social and psychological human well-being. Parks are venues that enable people of all age groups to engage in different activities with family and friends and connect with nature. While planning a city development, policy makers should consider new findings in the area of brownfield regeneration, to use the existing land more efficiently and ensure public acceptance of the proposed projects. This chapter contains five sections. Section 1 gives an introduction to land use challenges faced by policy makers, brownfield sites, and stimulus that motivate people to use public parks. In Section 2, the importance of urban parks to human health and key elements to achieve urban sustainability are presented. Section 3 introduces novelty among park facilities. Section 4 gives an example of a landfill-to-park transformation. Section 5 summarizes policy suggestions for decision makers to increase their focus on the importance of parks.
Molecular Mechanisms of Polyglutamine Pathology and Lessons Learned from Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Ersoy Tunalı Nagehan
Published: January 2021

Identification of polymorphic repeating units on DNA as a cause of many neurological disorders has introduced a new concept in molecular biology: Dynamic mutations. Many of the identified dynamic mutations involve expansion of trinucleotide repeats within disease genes. Nine neurodegenerative disorders are currently known to be caused by expanding CAG trinucleotide repeats. These are Huntington’s Disease (HD), Dentato-Rubral Pallidoluysian Atrophy (DRPLA), Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy (SBMA), and Spinocerebellar Ataxia (SCA) Type 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 17. All are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion except for SBMA, which is X-linked recessive. In all polyQ diseases, the disease mutation involves an increase in the number of CAG repeats within the coding regions of the respective genes. Since CAG triplets encode glutamine in the proteins, diseases caused by CAG repeat expansions are known as “Polyglutamine (polyQ) Diseases”. PolyQ diseases share certain clinical, neuropathological and molecular findings. The most widely studied polyQ disease is HD. In HD and other polyQ diseases, conformational change in the mutant protein causes abnormal folding and proteolysis of the protein, leading to the formation of a toxic polyQ fragment, which aggregates and causes neuronal dysfunction and selective neuronal death in the brain.
Ecohydrology: An Integrative Sustainability Science
Authors: Zalewski Maciej
Published: January 2021

The dynamic of the water cycle in catchments is determined by climate, geology, geomorphology, plant cover ad modified by agriculture, urbanisation, industrial development and hydroengineering infrastructure. Up until the end of the 20th century, water management was dominated by a mechanistic approach, focused on the elimination of threats such as floods and droughts and providing resources for the society with little to no regard for the impact this approach had on the ecosystem. Highlighting of water as a key driver of ecosystem dynamics, and further ecohydrology which highlights water/biota interactions from molecular to catchment scale provide a new perspective, new tools and new systemic solutions for enhancement of catchment sustainability potential WBSRCE (consisting of 5 elements: Water, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services for Society, Resilience and Culture and Education).
Development Strategies towards a Reputable International Program: Special Focus at International Program for Islamic Economics and Finance, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta
Authors: Bagus Wiranatakusuma Dimas
Published: January 2021

Internationalization is unevitable in the midst of globalization era. Higher education, not exception, must welcome the internationalization agenda by setting up some strategic programs and approaches through various and innovative internationalization activities. Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) is one of premier universities in Indonesia which is continuously committed to promote internationalization agenda, shown by the setting up the long term roadmap to internationalization. Technically, the internationalization process is executed by some international programs, such as International Program for Islamic Economics and Finance (IPIEF) which structurally is under department of economics, faculty of economics and business. In consonant with internationalization, IPIEF refers to stipulated vision and mission by department of economics, which is in line with university’s road map, namely to move as a reputable international program. Practically, IPIEF has set some programs which indicate some serious efforts and commitments which is based on integration between Islamic and conventional values in its curriculum. Surely, the integration intends to cover the notion that internationalization is not merely to equip students and staffs with pragmatic-based aspect, but also value-based aspect. A set of international instruments are developed which are divided into five separated pillars and buffered by some activities within its respective pillars. Finally, IPIEF proposes a masterplan as a raw model consists of standardized business models, including input, process, and output, tied with solid vision and mission. In turn, internationalization agenda is expected not only as a showcase of university agenda as part of international community, but also as a tool to promote impacts in community at large.
Biomarkers of Diseases: Their Role in Emergency Medicine
Authors: T. Chakrapani Anoop
Published: January 2021

Biomarkers have been playing an increasingly significant role in clinical decision making processes worldwide. Numerous studies are being undertaken across the globe in the elusive search for the ideal biomarker for each clinical condition. In the emergency department, where rapid diagnosis of various diseases like acute coronary syndromes, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, sepsis, acute renal failure etc. is of utmost importance, specific biomarkers can expedite the time to diagnosis and treatment. To enumerate, the following biomarkers have proved their worth within the setting of emergency departments across the world. The role of cardiac troponins and CK-MB has been well established in the clinical algorithms to detect myocardial infarction. Newer markers like Heart Fatty Acid Binding Protein (H-FABP), BNP, Pro BNP as well as Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) are coming into the fray in the detection of cardiovascular emergencies, especially in the detection of heart failure. Novel biomarkers like Mid-region Proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) are found to be useful in sepsis along with Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Interleukins and Presepsin in burns patients. Human neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels can detect renal failure much earlier than conventional methods. S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) has been found to be useful in detection of CNS injury and hence can be used to avoid unnecessary radiation to patients in the form of CT scans. Point of care testing of many of these biomarkers in the Emergency department itself paves way for a revolutionary step in faster emergency care delivery and better patient outcomes.
Liquid Biopsy: A New Diagnostic Strategy and Not Only for Lung Cancer?
Authors: Scarpino Stefania , Malapelle Umberto
Published: January 2021

Targeted molecular therapies have significantly improved the therapeutic management of advanced lung cancer. The possibility of detecting lung cancer at an early stage is surely an important event in order to improve patient survival. Liquid biopsy has recently demonstrated its clinical utility in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a possible alternative to tissue biopsy for non-invasive evaluation of specific genomic alterations, thus providing prognostic and predictive information when the tissue is difficult to find or the material is not sufficient for the numerous investigations to be carried out. Several biosources from liquid biopsy, including free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and RNA (ctRNA), circulating tumor cells (CTCs), exosomes and tumor-educated platelets (TEPs), have been extensively studied for their potential role in the diagnosis of lung cancer. This chapter proposes an overview of the circulating biomarkers assessed for the detention and monitoring of disease evolution with a particular focus on cell-free DNA, on the techniques developed to perform the evaluation and on the results of the most recent studies. The text will analyze in greater depth the liquid biopsy applied to the clinical practice of the management of NSCLC.
Valorization Technologies of Marine By-Products
Authors: Kaanane Amar , Mkadem Hind
Published: January 2021

Generally, in different countries, strategies to improve food security have focused on increasing food production, which contributes to climate pollution and increases stress on scarce natural resources such as water and land. Due to the increase of world population (estimated to be 9 milliards in 2050), to the limited biological resources and to the increase of environmental pollution, there is a need in innovation in food industry. This can be done by improving food quality through new technologies for valorization of food and food by-products. According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one third of world food production is lost or wasted along the food supply chain. In the sector of fisheries and aquaculture, 35% of the world’s harvest is lost or wasted each year. Thus, the valorization of marine by-products should be an obligation to assure the world food security and to satisfy the growing demand for fishery products. The objectives of this study are: First to review the sources of by-products and their characteristics and second to describe and evaluate the different technologies that are or can be used to valorize marine by-products in production of marine oils and concentrated fatty acids.
Study of Various Chemically and Structurally Diverse Currently Clinically Used and Recently Developed Antimycobacterial Drugs
Authors: Alghamdi Saad , Asif Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Infectious diseases originate from pathogens and increased severely in current years. Despite numerous important advances in antimicrobial therapy, the extensive use and misuse of these antimicrobial drugs have caused the emergence of microbial resistance, which is a serious risk to public health. In particular, the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens has become a serious difficulty in the therapy of pathogenic diseases. Therefore, the progress of novel drugs to deal with resistant pathogens has become one of the most essential areas of antimicrobial research today. In addition to the development of novel and efficient antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens, recent attention has focused on the treatment of tuberculosis. Therefore, recent developments have been directed towards examining currently used and newly developed antimycobacterial drugs and their toxicities and mechanism of action.
A Synthesis of the Information Given by Temporal Data Series: The Representative Day
Authors: Tirabassi Tiziano , Buske Daniela
Published: January 2021

The recording of air pollution concentration values involves the measurement of a large volume of data. Generally, automatic selectors and explicators are provided by statistics. The use of the Representative Day allows the compilation of large amounts of data in a compact format that will supply meaningful information on the whole data set. The Representative Day (RD) is a real day that best represents (in the meaning of the least squares technique) the set of daily trends of the considered time series. The Least Representative Day (LRD), on the contrary, it is a real day that worst represents (in the meaning of the least squares technique) the set of daily trends of the same time series. The identification of RD and LRD can prove to be a very important tool for identifying both anomalous and standard behaviors of pollutants within the selected period and establishing measures of prevention, limitation and control. Two application examples, in two different areas, are presented related to meteorological and SO2 and O3 concentration data sets.
Keeping the Dream Alive: Is Propellant-less Propulsion Possible?
Authors: F. Woodward James
Published: January 2021

“Breakthrough” advanced propulsion can only take place with a correct understanding of the role of inertia in general relativity. Einstein was convinced that inertia and gravitation were the obverse and reverse of the coin. The most general statement of the principle of relativity, captured in his Equivalence Principle and the gravitational induction of inertia. His ideas and how they have fared are reprised. A rest mass fluctuation that is expected when inertia is gravitationally induced is then mentioned that can be used for propulsion. Recent work supported by National Innovative Advanced Concepts Phase 1 and 2 NASA grants to determine whether thrusters based on gravitationally induced inertia can actually be made to work is presented. A recent design innovation has dramatically increased the thrust produced by these Mach Effect Gravity Assist (MEGA) impulse engines.
Vitamin C and Sepsis
Authors: Françozo de Melo Adriana , Oliveira Timo Giulia , Homem-de-Mello Mauricio
Published: January 2021

Vitamin C is a supplement used orally by several people globally. It may help in many other conditions, like sepsis, which is caused by an infection that leads to an imbalanced immune response involving pro (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (e.g., IL-10, IL-4, IL-7) cytokines. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant and acts against reactive oxygen species. At the same time, this vitamin influences cellular immune signaling, avoiding exacerbated transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Very high intravenous doses have already shown to be beneficial in septic patients. Some clinical trials are still running to evaluate the real impact of vitamin C in this condition. To the moment, the combination of low-dose corticosteroids, high-dose parenteral ascorbate, and thiamine seems to be the most effective supportive treatment that could help septic patients recover.
Phytochemical Antioxidants: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Sakihama Yasuko , Yamasaki Hideo
Published: January 2021

Most diseases that are difficult to prevent and cure are “syndromes” that are governed by multiple components with complicated interactions. Whatever the cause of such diseases, overproduction of harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) can often be observed in progression of the disease. Under such conditions, the cells may be challenged by “oxidative stress” due to excessively generated oxidants. Antioxidants can be defined as chemical compounds that scavenge ROS or free radicals over-produced in the cells under oxidative stress conditions. The plant pigments flavonoids and betalains, rich in fruits and vegetables, are reactive not only with ROS but also with reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and possibly with reactive sulfur species (RSS). Here, we provide an overview of updates on the antioxidative functions of the plant pigments along with some prospects for future research on phytochemical antioxidants.
Thermodynamic Stability Conditions as an Eigenvalues Fundamental Problem
Authors: Nogueira Lima Francisco
Published: January 2021

Quadratic forms diagonalization methods can be used in addressing the stability of physical systems. Thermodynamic stability conditions appears as an eigenvalues fundamental problem, in particular when postulational approaches is taken. The second-order derivatives or appropriate relations between such derivatives of the energy, entropy or any considered thermodynamic potential, as Helmholtz, enthalpy and Gibbs, have interesting mathematical features that directly imply in the physical stability, obtained by use and as consequence of analytical techniques. Formal aspects on the thermal and mechanical stability become simple consequences, but no less formal, of the superposition of rigorously established physical laws, and appropriate applications of mathematical techniques.
AMA Reconsiders Opposition to Physician-Assisted Suicide
Authors: Capone Ralph A. ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

In 1847, the American Medical Association established the first professional code of ethics for physicians in the United States. Expanded over the years to meet the needs of the medical profession, its most recent edition, adopted in 2016, includes a statement of AMA principles of medical ethics and eleven sets of opinions on various topics. After 169 years of opposition to physician involvement in directly causing patients’ deaths, the AMA is considering a change in its position—a position that has always averred the sacredness of every human life, asserting that the physician’s role is to cure when possible, care always, and ultimately err on the side of protecting and preserving human life. Following its annual meeting this past June, the AMA House of Delegates recommended that the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs study aid-in-dying as an end-of- life option and report back at the annual meeting in 2017.
Pope Francis and Bioethical Concerns in Amoris laetitia
Authors: McTavish James ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

Amoris laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation on love in the family, provides the pontiff’s reflections following the 2014–2015 Synods of Bishops on the Family. In it, he examines the situation of families in today’s world and calls readers’ attention “to the parts dealing with their specific needs.” The Pope anchors Amoris laetitia in the continuity of Church teaching, supporting his observations with various documents from the magisterium, including Humanae vitae, Gaudium et spes, Familiaris consortio, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
The Soul Is Not Sexed
Authors: Furton Edward J. ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

Although the Catholic philosophical tradition speaks of the generative faculty as one of the vital powers of the soul, this power is not described, in its own right, as either male or female. The generative faculty exists generically within the soul and only manifests as male or female in a given body. That is, the generative power may be male or female depending on the body in which the soul is infused. If we do not take this view, then we must either assert that it is possible for God to infuse a sexed soul into the wrong body or hold that the body–soul union does not bring the individual substance into existence. The doctrinal teachings of the Church and the Catholic philosophical tradition would seem to bar any claim that the soul can be infused into the wrong body.
On Regulating IVF
Authors: Etheredge Francis ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

The in vitro fertilization industry is generally unregulated in the United States, although individual states have enacted laws trying to rein in some of the more flagrant abuses of the practice. The weakness in the American system is the failure to protect the rights of experimental subjects, first expressed in the 1949 Nuremberg Code and again in the 1979 Belmont Report, which emphasized the need to protect those with diminished responsibility. Who is more vulnerable to mistreatment than the unborn? A different approach exists in Great Britain, where the national government regulates the production and use of human embryos. There are advantages to the British practice: it encourages scientists to publicize what they propose to do; it can focus the public on the objective good or harm of a particular proposal; and it makes it easier to identify the currents of thought which contribute to the political advocacy of IVF.
Moving the Goalposts in Human Embryo Research
Authors: Wilger Kevin ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

The debate over the ethics of manufacturing and destroying human embryos has captured the interest of scientific, philosophic, and religious communities once again. In May researchers reported a new in vitro system that allows for the study of postimplantation human embryos. Scientists are now able to culture human embryos for twelve to thirteen days, obtaining new data about their development after implantation. In fact, the new procedure’s simulated implantation environment worked so well that one group of researchers had to destroy the embryos thirteen days after fertilization. This was done to avoid conducting embryo research at fourteen days or beyond, which would violate national and international guidelines. Naturally, the success of the new process has prompted scientists and journalists alike to question the validity of both the fourteen-day rule and the proper boundaries of research on human embryos.
Administering Anesthesia When Sterilization Is Anticipated
Authors: Thomas Nelson ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

Is it morally acceptable for an anesthesiologist to cooperate with the immoral act of another physician? For example, can he administer anesthesia to a woman undergoing a cesarean section when it will be followed by a sterilization surgery? The cooperation in this case is unlikely to be formal, but even material cooperation may occasion sin and impede witness to moral truth and therefore should be avoided unless doing so is likely to result in grave harm to oneself or others. In this case, refusing to materially cooperate by deferring anesthesia would cause great harm to the mother and baby.
My Name Was Charlie Gard
Authors: Coleman Gerald D. ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

My name was Charles Gard, but everyone called me Charlie. I was eleven months old when my parents decided to end a contentious legal fight and allow me to die. I was born in West London on August 4, 2016. My dad, Chris, is a postman and my mom’s name is Connie. They are still young, only in their thirties. At birth, I seemed to be developing normally, but by October, it was apparent that I was not gaining weight. I was then admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, and treated for encephalomyopathic mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, a rare genetic condition which prevents cells from producing sufficient energy to maintain normal bodily functions. Experts on my form of MDDS, called RRM2B, unanimously agreed that there was no cure or treatment. At the time of my death on July 27, 2017, it was thought that only sixteen children globally have this condition.
Physician-Assisted Suicide and the Rise of Secularism
Authors: Wenger Karen ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

The media has been instrumental in disseminating and glamorizing physician-assisted suicide, also known as aid in dying and medical aid in dying The organization Compassion and Choices claims that people seeking physician-assisted suicide want to live, carefully plan their demise, and often include family, while those who choose suicide are not terminally ill and wish to die, are typically impulsive in their decision, and act independently of family. The award-winning documentary How to Die in Oregon examines both sides of the debate and features several individuals as they struggle with end-of-life issues. The filmmakers help the viewer ponder important questions about the purported benefit of physician-assisted suicide.
Computer Models and Postmodern Narratives
Authors: Smith Carr J. ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

As consumers of information, we must have the skill to distinguish between hard data and the interpretation of those data. Otherwise we become victims of narratives that are not properly grounded in fact, but are instead informed by speculative conjectures. A post- modern narrative is an ideologically informed viewpoint that is designed to appear convincing whether or not it is rationally grounded. The sophistication of the flow of information and its overwhelming abundance can make it difficult for the reader or listener to identify postmodern narratives, which present themselves as reflections of science when in fact they cannot be substantiated through the best scientific methods. One of the more subtle and dangerous areas of this postmodern approach to truth is the ease with which computer modeling can be altered to suit a researcher’s biases.
Embryo Mortality and In Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Elm Laura ,   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

This essay hopes to convey the problematic framework of outcomes for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) as they are published today, reframe the logic to focus on human embryo mortality, and quantify a population of human beings generally not accounted for in publicly available in-vitro fertilization data. This analysis, conducted using the CDC’s 2015 National Summary data in conjunction with a retrospective study conducted by one of the nation’s largest ART delivery systems, is one of the first attempts to estimate pre-transfer embryo mortality in IVF. This analysis focuses on fresh non-donor cycles only, that is, rounds of IVF treatment that include immediate transfer of at least one embryo and in which the embryos transferred were engendered using the recipient’s own eggs.
NCBC Guide to Completing the POLST Form
Authors:   The National Catholic Bioethics Center
Published: January 2021

POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) is an actionable medical order signed by a qualified clinician that authorizes medical treatments that a patient chooses to receive or not receive at the end of life. POLST is a portable document that travels with the patient and applies across multiple health care settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities. When health care providers see the POLST form, they are expected to implement its instructions just as they would if ordered to do so by a qualified clinician. There are other documents that, despite having different names, serve the same function. These include MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment).