bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A negociação do desacordo mitigado como estratégia de (im)polidez por ministros do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho
Authors: Albuquerque Rodrigo , Pinto Carolina Campos
Published: November 2017

Neste artigo, analisamos o desacordo mitigado, como estratégia de (im)polidez, em negociação entre ministros do Tribunal Superior do Trabalho, durante as sessões de julgamento, em razão de se tratar de um ambiente, potencialmente, conflitivo. Para tanto, o trabalho se enquadra, teoricamente, nas áreas da Sociolinguística Interacional e da Pragmática, e, metodologicamente, na Análise da Conversação, por concebermos que as estratégias sociopragmáticas se estabelecem na conversa. Em suma, constatamos que a interação entre os ministros do TST revelou grande preocupação com a preservação da imagem social dos seus pares, especialmente em situações de divergência, coadunando com a seleção de desacordo mitigado, como estratégia.
Eugenia e imigração: diálogos com a Constituinte 1933-1934
Authors: De Andrade Wallace Carvalho , Giorgi Maria Cristina
Published: November 2017

Neste artigo, buscamos, por meio da articulação entre questões de linguagem (BAKHTIN, 2003, 2011; DUCROT, 1987; MAINGUENEAU, 1997, 2008, 2013) e étnico-raciais, especificamente a eugenia (SKIDMORE, 2012) discutir as imagens de imigração e o modo como o racismo se fez presente em uma constituinte, órgão colegiado que, com plenos poderes, visa redigir ou reformar a constituição, e, consequentemente, a ordem político-institucional. Para tal, após breve discussão acerca das condições históricas que propiciaram a emergência de discursos racista na Assembleia Nacional Constituinte 1933-34, apresentamos análises de seus anais, que mostram o modo como as imagens de imigrantes se materializam nos referidos documentos. Nossos resultados apontam para um claro alinhamento com diretrizes pautadas em modelos eugenistas propostos por estados estrangeiros, que consideram a imigração de certos grupos prejudicial para o Brasil, sobretudo para a prosperidade econômica da nação.
The Differentiation of Firm Survival Models in the Poviats of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship
Authors: Markowicz Iwona
Published: November 2017

The aim of the study was to construct models of firms’ survival duration for individual poviats in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. The first stage was the calculation of the Kaplan‑Meier estimator and the use of a test for the verification of similarities in the survival function for the analysed poviats. As a result, groups of poviats were created. The next stage of research was the construction of duration tables of the studied firms and an analysis of the intensity function of firms’ liquidation for the poviats. The percentage of firms liquidated after two years of activity in different poviats (stage III) was presented. An analysis of correlation between the percentage of firms liquidated in the analysed period and the number of entities registered per 10 thousand of population in the poviats (stage IV) was also conducted. This study used data from the registry of REGON related to companies established in the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship in 2009–2011. These entities were observed till the end of 2013. The study results reveal the differentiation of firm survival models in the poviats of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship. Five groups of poviats were distinguished and characterised.
Modelling the Duration of the First Job Using Bayesian Accelerated Failure Time Models
Authors: Grzenda Wioletta
Published: November 2017

In this paper, the duration of the first job of young people aged 18–30 has been analyzed. The aim of the work is to find the distribution which best describes the investigated phenomenon. Bayesian accelerated failure time models have been used for modelling. The use of the Bayesian approach made it possible to extend past research. More precisely, prior information could be included in the study, which let us compare distributions of model parameters. Moreover, the comparison of explanatory power of competing models based on the Bayesian theory was possible. The duration of the first job for men and women was also compared using the abovementioned methods.
Hierarchical Clustering Methods With Territorial Integrity Criterion
Authors: Sobolewski Marek , Markowska Małgorzata
Published: November 2017

During the conference entitled Spatial Econometrics and Regional Economic Analyses, which took place in Lodz in 2014, there was a proposition to introduce the spatial coherence property into the Ward method, which is applied to group administrative units [1]. At each stage of agglomeration in the modified Ward method, there are included only those aggregates which are adjacent to each other. This work is an extension of this concept based upon other methods of hierarchical clustering, in particular the single and complete linkage method. The study highlighted the benefits of cluster­ing methods with the coherence property, also emphasizing the limitations of these procedures. First of all, the introduction of the restricting condition during the procedure of the hierarchical clustering reduces the homogeneity of isolated clusters. Spatial constraints may also lead to a situation where the distance between the clusters linked at a later stage is smaller than at an earlier stage (graphically, we can talk about the dendrogram “backflow”). The method of complete linkage is free of these aberration where the distance between the clusters is defined as the maximum distance between their elements. The modified clustering algorithm was implemented as an extension of STATISTICA software. Examples of an application of the hierarchical clustering method with the coherence concern sector changes in the European regional space. The aim of the analysis was to isolate spatially coherent areas that demonstrate a similar direction and intensity of structural change in selected areas of the labour market.
Stefan Złotnicki (1779–1847) – założyciel miasta Zduńska Wola, podprefekt powiatu szadkowskiego, szlachcic i wolnomularz
Authors: Nejman Elżbieta Halina , Stulczewski Jarosław
Published: November 2017

Stefan Józef Wincenty Złotnicki – polski szlachcic herbu Nowina (mylnie przypisywany herb Prawdzic), dziedzic dóbr zduńskowolskich, założyciel miasta Zduńska Wola, człowiek nowocześnie myślący i przedsiębiorczy, wolnomularz. Na początku XIX w. dzięki jego staraniom rozpoczął się masowy napływ osadników (tkaczy) do Zduńskiej Woli, który umożliwił dynamiczny rozwój osady. Osadnicy przybywali zarówno z Poznańskiego, Śląska, jak i z Saksonii, Prus i Czech. Pomyślny rozwój osady spowodował, że dziedzic Złotnicki wystąpił do władz Królestwa Kongresowego z wnioskiem o nadanie jej statusu miasta. Uchwałą Rady Administracyjnej z dnia 25 października 1825 r. Zduńskiej Woli nadano prawa miejskie. Ich otrzymanie przyspieszyło uprzemysłowienie miasta.
Diagnozowanie potrzeb lokalnych w programie rewitalizacji. Przykład miasta i gminy Uniejów
Authors: Rzeńca Agnieszka , Boryczka Ewa M. , Skórzak Barbara , Plesińska Katarzyna
Published: November 2017

Rewitalizacja, jest jednym z kluczowych obszarów aktywności samorządu terytorialnego w okresie programowania unijnego 2014–2020, koncentruje się na poprawie jakości życia społeczności lokalnej i budowaniu lokalnych zasobów poprzez kompleksowe działania na zdegradowanych społecznie i gospodarczo obszarach. Dla zapewnienia skuteczności działań rewitalizacyjnych opracowuje się programy rewitalizacji, które mogą być przygotowywane na podstawie Ustawy o rewitalizacji z dnia 9 października 2015 roku (Gminne Programy Rewitalizacji) lub na podstawie wytycz­nych w zakresie rewitalizacji w programach operacyjnych na lata 2014–2020 (Lokalne Programy Rewitalizacji). Oba typy programów mają podobną strukturę, a punktem wyj­ścia do ich przygotowania jest szczegółowa i wielokryterialna analiza stanu jednostki terytorialnej (diagnoza) uwzględniająca różnorodne aspekty jej funkcjonowania. Przedmiotem artykułu jest program rewitalizacji, który jest nowym i istotnym instrumentem stymulowania procesów rewitalizacji w samorządach oraz pozyskiwania środków finansowych na realizację działań rewitalizacyjnych. Celem głównym artykułu jest określenie zakresu merytorycznego części diagnostycznej programu rewitalizacji oraz wskazanie źródeł informacji i danych stanowiących podstawę analizy. Studium przypadku stanowi miasto i gmina Uniejów.
Process optimization of biodiesel production from Neem oil
Authors: Karmakar Anindita , Mukherjee Souti
Published: November 2017

Biodiesel is one of the most important types of sustainable alternate bioenergy sources. In developing countries like India, where edible oils are in short supply non-edible plant oils are used as biodiesel feedstocks. In the present work an attempt was made to produce biodiesel from crude neem oil. Due to its high FFA content, neem oil was processed in two steps: acid pretreatment followed by base catalyzed transesterification. The optimum combination for reducing the FFA of crude neem oil to less than 1% after pretreatment was found to be 1.58%v/v H2SO4 acid catalyst, 0.63v/v methanol to oil ratio and 90 min reaction time at a reaction temperature of 60oC as compared to 0.23 v/v methanol to pretreated oil ratio and 23 min reaction time for transesterification. The maximum yield of biodiesel was 90.5%. The properties of produced biodiesel were found quite comparable to diesel and also met the ASTM standards.
Impact of HLA Class I Alleles on Timing of HIV Rebound After Antiretroviral Treatment Interruption
Authors: Park You Jeong , Etemad Behzad , Ahmed Hayat , Naranbhai Vivek , Aga Evgenia , Bosch Ronald J. , Mellors John W. , Kuritzkes Daniel R. , Para Michael , Gandhi Rajesh T. , Carrington Mary , Li Jonathan Z.
Published: November 2017

Identifying host determinants associated with HIV reservoir size and viral rebound timing after an analytic treatment interruption (ATI) is an important step in the search for an HIV functional cure. A pooled analysis of 103 participants from four AIDS Clinical Trials Group ATI studies to identify the association between HLA class I alleles with HIV reservoir size and viral rebound timing. Total HIV DNA and cell-associated HIV RNA (CA-RNA) were quantified in pre-ATI peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples, and residual plasma viremia was measured using the single-copy assay. HLA class I typing was performed and we generated an odds ratio (OR) of predicted HLA effect on HIV viremia control for each individual and compared this with time to viral rebound, and levels of HIV DNA and CA-RNA. There was no significant association between the HLA ORs and levels of HIV DNA or CA-RNA, but carriage of protective HLA-B alleles (lower OR scores) was associated with delayed viral rebound (P=0.02). Higher OR scores at the HLA-C locus were associated with longer duration of ART treatment (P=0.01) and this trend was also seen with the combined OR score (P=0.007). Individuals with protective HLA-B alleles had delayed viral rebound after treatment interruption that was not explained by differences in baseline reservoir size. The results indicate the vital role of cellular host immunity in preventing HIV rebound and the importance of taking into account the HLA status of study participants being evaluated in HIV cure trials.
A Comparative Analysis of the Proteins and Lipids in Breast, Leg, and Thigh Meats of a Commercial Domesticated Turkey
Authors: Ray W. Keith , Hildreth Sherry B. , Jervis Judith M. , Helm Richard F.
Published: November 2017

A commercially reared domesticated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was purchased from a local market and sections of tissue representing leg, thigh, and breast were harvested and processed for analysis of the lipids and proteins present. Leg and thigh tissue was enriched in mitochondrial proteins whereas the breast tissue was enriched in glycolytic enzymes as well as the cytosolic and mitochondrial forms of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. A potential marker for breast tissue muscle formation and/or function was also identified. The tissues could clearly be separated based upon their lipid profiles with little differences in cardiolipin levels suggesting that mitochondrial surface areas may be similar across the tissues. The most significant differences in the lipids were found to be higher levels of oxidized lipids in thigh meat. This work provides the first untargeted proteome and lipidome datasets for the domesticated turkey. The proteome dataset is accessible from ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the identifier PXD008207.
Impaired skin barrier due to sebaceous gland atrophy in the latent stage of radiation-induced skin injury: application of non-invasive diagnostic methods
Authors: Jang Hyosun , Myung Hyunwook , Lee Janet , Myung Jae Kyung , Jang Won-Suk , Lee Sun-Joo , Bae Chang-Hwan , Kim Hyewon , Park Sunhoo , Shim Sehwan
Published: November 2017

Abstract: Radiation-induced skin injury can be a serious cutaneous damage and have specific characteristics. Asymptomatic periods are classified as the latent stage. The skin barrier plays a critical role in the modulation of skin permeability and hydration and protects the body against a harsh external environment. However, an analysis on the skin barrier dysfunction against radiation exposure in the latent stage has not been conducted. Thus, we investigated whether skin barrier is impaired by irradiation in the latent stage and aimed to identify the molecules involved in skin barrier dysfunction. We analyzed skin barrier function and its components in SKH-1 mice that received 20 and 40 Gy local irradiation. Increased transepidermal water loss and skin pH were observed in the latent stage of the irradiated skin. Skin barrier components, such as structural proteins and lipid synthesis enzymes in keratinocyte, increased in the irradiated group. Interestingly, we noted sebaceous gland atrophy and increased serine protease and inflammatory cytokines in the irradiated skin during the latent period. This finding indicates that the main factor of skin barrier dysfunction in the latent stage of radiation-induced skin injury is sebaceous gland deficiency, which could be an intervention target for skin barrier impairment.
Solutions of Generalized Fractional Kinetic Equations via Sumudu Transforms Involving Bessel-Struve Kernel Function
Authors: Nisar Kottakkaran S. , Rahman Gauhar , Belgacem Fethi Bin M.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, we pursue and investigate the solutions for fractional kinetic equations, involving Bessel-Struve function by means of their Sumudu transforms. In the process, one Important special case is then revealed, and analyzed. The results obtained in terms of Bessel-Struve function are rather general in nature and can easily construct various known and new fractional kinetic equations.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENTS’ INTRAPERSONAL INSTRUMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN BALI
Authors: Ratnaya I Gede , Margono Gaguk
Published: November 2017

This research aimed to develop an instrument to measure the intrapersonal students’ of skill Electrical Engineering Program at Vocational High School in Bali by using Likert scale. This capability is important in regulating and monitoring personal’s goals during vocational education at SMK. This instrument has been tested to 110 students at Engineering Utilization of Electricity Program in the entire province of Bali. The validation of the instrument through the content validation by the experts, the validation grains measure with Momment Product engineering, and the validation of the construct done by factor analysis. Factor analysis uses the confirmation method Maximum Likelihood (ML) with the conformity or suitability obtained Chi Square amounted to 113,8 (p-value = 0,2622) and Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) by 0.92.
Aplicabilidade de Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIGs) livres nas ciências ambientais: o uso do QGIS
Authors: Bruno Leandro Obadowiski
Published: November 2017

Os Sistemas de Informações Geográficas (SIGs) tornaram-se componentes essenciais em variados campos de pesquisas e tarefas científicas dentro do domínio das ciências ambientais. Nesta categoria de aplicativos, destacam-se os chamados softwares livres por demonstrarem potencialidades promissoras. Este trabalho abordou a utilização das geotecnologias livres com enfoque no uso do QGIS. Utilizou-se como ferramenta a revisão de literatura a partir de estudos relacionados às ciências ambientais. Conclui-se que o software livre pode ser considerado uma abrangente plataforma de processamento e divulgação do conhecimento.
Joining insured groups: how to split the emerging profit
Authors: Mualem Elinor , Zaks Abraham
Published: November 2017

In the process of evaluating the premium of an insurance plan, one considers the risk arising from various uncertainties. The authors suppose for a plan whose net premium is p and the standard deviation is σ the premium including the risk factor will be p + 3σ for a given member, and 3σ reflects the risk. For a group of n members with the same premium p and with standard deviation σ, the premium including the risk factor will be p + 3σ/√n where 3σ/√n reflects the risk for each member of the group. The authors study the emerging profit in case of n insured groups each with its own premium and its own risk when all the n insured groups merge into a single group uniting all insured members. They prove that there emerge a profit due to joining the n groups into a single one due to a reduced total risk of the n separate insured groups when merging into a single group. The emerging profit between the various groups may be divided using the Shapley values method or using utility functions for each group. The auhors discuss various reasonable ways to split the emerging profit between the n groups and show that the split of the profit depends on the chosen method. The main tools are techniques of game theory, in particular those of cooperative games.
“Geschichtsmude” – Portugal and the Tiredness of History – How Can Europe Revive its Own Significance?
Authors: Cardoso Daniela
Published: November 2017

This article is part of UNIO’s section for non-reviewed articles. This section aims to publicize activities, projects or initatives of the Center of Studies in European Law, which houses UNIO activities. This article won the ‘PRIZE Portugal- Europe 30 years’ promoted by the Jacques Delors European Information Centre to celebrate the 30 years of the signature of the Treaty Accession of Portugal to the European Community.
Contributions from Neuroscience and Biology to the Philosophy of Law
Authors: Machado Segundo Hugo De Brito
Published: November 2017

This article discusses the possibility of dealing, from a scientific point of view, with ethical standards from which one can critically evaluate positive law. For a long time it was considered that such standards would be subjective, emotional, and that they would vary according to time and place. That is why it was considered impossible, especially from a positivist point of view, to examine them using a scientific approach, due to a lack of the necessary objectivity. The findings of contemporary biology and neuroscience, however, may cast new light on this debate. Although they would not resolve the debate, these findings significantly challenge the idea that moral sentiments cannot be able to be scientifically studied.
The Theories of Interconstitutionality and Transconstitutionalism. Preliminary Insights from a Jus-cultural Perspective (With a view to Transnational Social Justice)
Authors: Vale Luís A. Malheiro Meneses do
Published: November 2017

In the following pages, some light will hopefully be shed into the recent proposals of interconstitutionality and transconstitutionalism – deemed highly influential among Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries – considering them against the backdrop defined by the more general disquisitions recently devoted to interculturality and transculturality in their quality of practical responses to the globalization and social differentiation phenomena. Acknowledging the fact that, even inside the juridical linguistic game and within the juristic community of interpreters, the new narratives interwoven through the above mentioned concepts are becoming more and more intricate – v.g., including epistemic and normative, as well as subjective and objective perspectives, giving birth to new elaborate semantic networks and covering an ever growing territory – it is important to admonish, at the outset, that, in this stance, we cannot but provide a preliminary and provisory map of the vast continent thereby comprised. As a consequence, the present text will limit itself to the signalling of some landmarks and the rough drawing of the basic lineaments for further (and certainly wiser and more competent) cartographic and exploratory endeavours.
The emerging culture of EU citizenship as “citizenship of rights” and the legal nature of the EU polity
Authors: Silveira Alessandra , Engström Claudia McKenny
Published: November 2017

The current European crisis shows a crucial disjunction between the expectations of EU citizens and the institutional forms of political integration available to them. The crisis imposes challenges to the EU integration process, which sees its legitimacy questioned, above all in the eyes of the citizens of Member States undergoing intervention, who live with harsh restrictions and low expectations of improvement. EU citizens have never been so attentive to the developments of the EU integration – as testifies the rejection demonstrated in May 2014 elections to EU Parliament, now counting over 100 anti-EU voices. In this context, it is important to scrutinize whether the developing of an EU citizenship as “citizenship of rights” could perform some role in this scenario, putting it into perspective in order to grasp its effects on the legal nature of the EU polity. The status of EU citizenship is constructed around the paradigm of individual rights. Being an EU citizen basically means one is the holder of rights protected by the EU legal order – especially fundamental rights. Therefore, it is important to know to what extent the culture of rights has been strengthened by the change legal status of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFREU) following the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009.1 In short, the text aims at knowing in which measure the fundamental rights dynamics in times of crisis affect the EU integration process itself.
Identifying Unmet Treatment Needs for Patients With Osteoporotic Fracture: Feasibility Study for an Electronic Clinical Surveillance System (Preprint)
Authors: Lin Fong-Ci , Wang Chen-Yu , Shang Rung Ji , Hsiao Fei-Yuan , Lin Mei-Shu , Hung Kuan-Yu , Wang Jui , Lin Zhen-Fang , Lai Feipei , Shen Li-Jiuan , Huang Chih-Fen
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Traditional clinical surveillance relied on the results from clinical trials and observational studies of administrative databases. However, these studies not only required many valuable resources but also faced a very long time lag.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to illustrate a practical application of the National Taiwan University Hospital Clinical Surveillance System (NCSS) in the identification of patients with an osteoporotic fracture and to provide a high reusability infrastructure for longitudinal clinical data.

METHODS

The NCSS integrates electronic medical records in the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH) with a data warehouse and is equipped with a user-friendly interface. The NCSS was developed using professional insight from multidisciplinary experts, including clinical practitioners, epidemiologists, and biomedical engineers. The practical example identifying the unmet treatment needs for patients encountering major osteoporotic fractures described herein was mainly achieved by adopting the computerized workflow in the NCSS.

RESULTS

We developed the infrastructure of the NCSS, including an integrated data warehouse and an automatic surveillance workflow. By applying the NCSS, we efficiently identified 2193 patients who were newly diagnosed with a hip or vertebral fracture between 2010 and 2014 at NTUH. By adopting the filter function, we identified 1808 (1808/2193, 82.44%) patients who continued their follow-up at NTUH, and 464 (464/2193, 21.16%) patients who were prescribed anti-osteoporosis medications, within 3 and 12 months post the index date of their fracture, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The NCSS systems can integrate the workflow of cohort identification to accelerate the survey process of clinically relevant problems and provide decision support in the daily practice of clinical physicians, thereby making the benefit of evidence-based medicine a reality.
Preferences of Underserved Chilean Women on a Mobile Technology Intervention for Cervical Cancer Screening: Qualitative Study (Preprint)
Authors: Soto Mauricio , Martinez-Gutierrez Javiera , Momany McKenzie , Capurro Daniel , Ciampi Spode Francis , Cea Emilia , Mergudich Tania , Puschel Klaus
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

In Chile and Latin America, cervical cancer disproportionately affects women of low socioeconomic status. Mobile technology (mobile health, mHealth) may be able to address this disparity by targeting women in underserved populations. However, there is a lack of information regarding barriers to the implementation of mHealth interventions in underserved populations.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the use of cell phones and text messaging (short message service, SMS) in Latina women from disadvantaged communities to design an mHealth intervention for improving cervical cancer screening rates.

METHODS

We conducted 9 focus groups among women aged 25-64 years to better understand the implementation barriers and perceptions of a text message (SMS)–based intervention designed to improve cervical cancer screening rates. We used the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to categorize identified themes using template analysis.

RESULTS

Focus group results indicated that older women use mobile phones to receive calls from family and friends but seldom send text messages. Furthermore, they prefer personal contact with their health care providers regarding Papanicolaou (Pap) testing. Younger women, on the other hand, find text messaging easy to use and frequently send texts to family and friends. Importantly, women of all ages mentioned they would like to receive text messages about Pap tests. Factors that facilitate the uptake of the intervention include ease of access to Pap testing, inclusion of family members, and reminder messaging. Potential barriers include cost and the impersonal nature of messaging. Health team members support an mHealth intervention even though they acknowledge the potential barriers to this strategy. Overall, these results support the implementation of an mHealth intervention to increase cervical cancer screening rates.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the opinions of women nonadherent to Pap testing on the potential use of mobile technologies for cervical cancer screening. Although the overall acceptance was positive, older women prefer personal contact and phone calls over text messaging. Information surrounding these preferences will aid in the implementation of effective strategies to improve cancer screening in underserved populations.
Designing a portal to patient-centered care? Let�s start with the patient. A cross-sectional survey. (Preprint)
Authors: Van den Bulck Steve Alfons , Hermens Rosella , Slegers Karin , Vandenberghe Bert , Goderis Geert , Vankrunkelsven Patrik
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

In recent literature, patient portals are considered as important tools for the delivery of patient-centered care. Yet, it is not clear how patients would conceptualize a patient portal and which health information needs they have when doing so.

OBJECTIVE

1) To investigate health information needs, expectations and attitudes towards a patient portal. 2) To assess if determinants such as patient characteristics, health literacy and empowerment status can predict two different variables, namely the importance people attribute to obtaining health information when using a patient portal and the expectations concerning personal healthcare when using a patient portal.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was performed in the Flemish population on what patients prefer to know about their digital health data and on their expectations and attitudes towards using a patient portal to access their Electronic Health Record. People were invited to participate in the survey through newsletters, social media and magazines. We used a questionnaire including demographics, health characteristics, health literacy, patient empowerment and patient portal characteristics.

RESULTS

We received 433 completed surveys. The health information needs included features such as being notified when one’s health changes (93.7%, 371/396), being notified when physical parameters rise to dangerous levels (93.7%, 370/395), to see connections between one’s symptoms/diseases/biological parameters (85.2%, 339/398), to view the evolution of one’s health in function of time (84.5%, 333/394) and to view information about the expected effect of treatment (88.4%, 349/395). Almost 90% (369/412) of respondents were interested in using a patient portal. Determinants of patients’ attachment to obtaining health information on a patient portal were 1) age between 45 and 54 years (P = .047); 2) neutral (P = .030) or interested attitude (P = .008) towards shared decision-making; 3) commitment to question the physicians’ decisions (P = .030). (R2 = .122) Determinants of patients’ expectations on improved healthcare by accessing a patient portal were 1) lower education level (P = .040); 2) neutral (P = .030) or interested attitude (P = .008) towards shared decision-making; 3) problems in understanding health information (P = .037). (R2 = .106)

CONCLUSIONS

The interest in using a patient portal is considerable in Flanders. People report they would like to receive alerts or some form of communication from a patient portal in case they need to take action to manage their health. Determinants such as education, attached importance to shared decision-making, difficulties in finding relevant health information and the attached importance to questioning the decisions of physicians need to be taken into account in the design of a patient portal.
Digital Transformation and Disruption of the Health Care Sector: Internet-Based Observational Study (Preprint)
Authors: Herrmann Maximilian , Boehme Philip , Mondritzki Thomas , Ehlers Jan P , Kavadias Stylianos , Truebel Hubert
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Digital innovation, introduced across many industries, is a strong force of transformation. Some industries have seen faster transformation, whereas the health care sector only recently came into focus. A context where digital corporations move into health care, payers strive to keep rising costs at bay, and longer-living patients desire continuously improved quality of care points to a digital and value-based transformation with drastic implications for the health care sector.

OBJECTIVE

We tried to operationalize the discussion within the health care sector around digital and disruptive innovation to identify what type of technological enablers, business models, and value networks seem to be emerging from different groups of innovators with respect to their digital transformational efforts.

METHODS

From the Forbes 2000 and CBinsights databases, we identified 100 leading technology, life science, and start-up companies active in the health care sector. Further analysis identified projects from these companies within a digital context that were subsequently evaluated using the following criteria: delivery of patient value, presence of a comprehensive and distinctive underlying business model, solutions provided, and customer needs addressed.

RESULTS

Our methodological approach recorded more than 400 projects and collaborations. We identified patterns that show established corporations rely more on incremental innovation that supports their current business models, while start-ups engage their flexibility to explore new market segments with notable transformations of established business models. Thereby, start-ups offer higher promises of disruptive innovation. Additionally, start-ups offer more diversified value propositions addressing broader areas of the health care sector.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital transformation is an opportunity to accelerate health care performance by lowering cost and improving quality of care. At an economic scale, business models can be strengthened and disruptive innovation models enabled. Corporations should look for collaborations with start-up companies to keep investment costs at bay and off the balance sheet. At the same time, the regulatory knowledge of established corporations might help start-ups to kick off digital disruption in the health care sector.
Recreational Music-making: An Integrative Group Intervention for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in First Year Associate Degree Nursing Students: Insights and Economic Impact
Authors: Bittman Barry B , Snyder Cherie , Bruhn Karl T , Liebfreid Fran , Stevens Christine K , Westengard James , Umbach Paul O
Published: November 2017

The challenges of providing exemplary undergraduate nursing education cannot be underestimated in an era when burnout and negative mood states predictably lead to alarming rates of academic as well as career attrition. While the multi-dimensional nature of this complex issue has been extensively elucidated, few rational strategies exist to reverse a disheartening trend recognizable early in the educational process that subsequently threatens to undermine the future viability of quality healthcare. This controlled prospective crossover study examined the impact of a 6-session Recreational Music-making (RMM) protocol on burnout and mood dimensions as well as Total Mood Disturbance (TMD) in first year associate level nursing students. A total of 75 first year associate degree nursing students from Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) participated in a 6-session RMM protocol focusing on group support and stress reduction utilizing a specific group drumming protocol. Burnout and mood dimensions were assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Profile of Mood States respectively. Statistically significant reductions of multiple burnout and mood dimensions as well as TMD scores were noted. Potential annual cost savings for the typical associate degree nursing program ($16,800) and acute care hospital ($322,000) were projected by an independent economic analysis firm. A cost-effective 6-session RMM protocol reduces burnout and mood dimensions as well as TMD in associate degree nursing students.
The U.S. Beer Market: A Competitive Profile
Authors: Datta Y.
Published: November 2017

Porter equates high market share with cost leadership strategy which is based on the idea of competing on a price lower than that of the competition. However, customer-perceived quality—not low cost—should be the underpinning of competitive strategy, because it is far more critical to long-term competitive position and profitability than any other factor. So, a superior option is to offer better quality vs. the competition.

In most consumer markets a business seeking market share leadership should cater to the middle class by competing in the mid-price segment: and offering better quality than that of the competition at a somewhat higher price.

Quality, however, is a complex concept consumers generally find difficult to understand. So, they often use relative price and a brand’s reputation as a symbol of quality.

The U.S. Beer market is one of the most complex industries. It has two product-segments: Lager and Ale, with lager being the overwhelmingly dominant segment. Also, it has three market groups: Traditional, Imports, and Craft.

We have focused most of our statistical analysis on the lager segment. First, we tested the hypothesis that a market leader is likely to compete in the mid-price segment. Second, the price tag of the market leader is going to be somewhat higher than that of the nearest competition. Employing U.S. retail sales data for 2008 and 2007, we used cluster analysis based on unit price of 12-packs and six-packs (Note 1). The results strongly supported both hypothesis for both years—and for both packs.

We have proposed an alcohol-based system for classifying beer: Low vs. High. This proposal is based on the premise that alcohol and calories are closely tied to each other. We performed bivariate correlation on 50 popular lager and ale brands, and the results were significant at the 0.01 level.

Finally, we discovered five strategic groups in this market.
La importancia de una buena estrategia de fijación de precios como herramienta de penetración de mercados
Authors: Córdoba Segovia Carlos Manuel , Moreno Moncayo David Felipe
Published: November 2017

Una empresa para estar a la vanguardia y al nivel de sus rivales, con bienes y servicios de alto valor agregado y notable especialización, requiere de una buena estrategia de fijación de precios (pricing) que sea atractiva para el cliente y, a la vez, rentable para la compañía. Este objetivo se puede alcanzar mediante técnicas de optimización financiera, centradas en el conocimiento al detalle de la estructura de costos de la empresa, que permitan aumentar la participación en el mercado a través de precios competitivos.En este artículo se presentan diferentes estrategias de costos y de fijación de precios que, de acuerdo con la naturaleza de la empresa, se pueden utilizar para competir en el mercado de manera eficiente. Aunque, en la práctica, no existe una fórmula ideal de fijación de precios, la estrategia acertada será aquella que se adapte de la mejor manera al objetivo que quiera alcanzar la empresa en un momento determinado.El propósito de este ensayo es exponer al lector las estrategias de pricing comúnmente utilizadas en el mercado, con el fin de demostrar su incidencia en los resultados financieros de las empresas y sugerir alternativas de toma de decisiones gerenciales.
Bandera
Authors: Gómez Marín Jorge Enrique
Published: November 2017

Bandera
Contenido
Authors: Gómez Marín Jorge Enrique
Published: November 2017

Contenido
Costos de neumonia nosocomial en una unidad de cuidados intensivos en Cartagena, Colombia.
Authors: Sanmartin-Ávilaa Arnaldo , Alvis-Estrada Luis , De La Valle-Archibold Mónica , Macott-Marrugo Leslie , Palomino-Sánchez Alix
Published: November 2017

Objetivo: Estimar el exceso de costos directos de atención atribuible a la neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de adultos en la ciudad de Cartagena durante los años 2009 al 2014.Material y Método: Se plantea un estudio de evaluación económica parcial centrado en el análisis de costos directos de atención contrastando los escenarios de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico versus los escenarios sin neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico. La población de estudio la constituye 23 pacientes con neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico. Del mismo modo, se tomaron 46 controles. La información correspondiente a los costos directos se obtuvo a través del departamento de costos de la institución hospitalaria. Se estimó la razón de costos que permite establecer el exceso de costo atribuible a la enfermedad nosocomial.Resultados: La estancia promedio en los casos fue de 47 días mientras que en los controles fue de 9 días. El costo promedio de un caso de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico fue de US$ 44.354 mientras que el de un control fue de US$ 5.037.Discusión: El exceso de costo promedio total así como el incurrido en antibióticos y en estancia resultan ser mucho más altos que los encontrados en otros estudios realizados.Conclusiones: Un caso de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico cuesta 10 veces más con respecto a los medicamentos y 8 veces más con relación a exámenes de laboratorios e insumos. La estancia resulta ser 6,6 veces más costosa que cuando no se presenta esta patología. El costo que se asume en antibióticos es 7,8 veces más alto. Los casos de neumonía asociada a ventilador mecánico cuestan en promedio 8,8 veces más que los controles.
THE CONCEPT OF «ECOLOGICAL TOURISM» IN THE WORLD AND RUSSIAN PRACTICE: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS AND CASES
Authors: Афанасьев Олег , Afanasev Oleg , Афанасьева Александра , Afanaseva Aleksandra
Published: November 2017

The article is focused on the ecotourism from the point of view of the ecological paradigm, the ecological imperative and the concept of natureuse. Based on the methodology of comparative analysis, the research experience in the field of ecotourism in foreign scientific practice is considered. It is noted that one of the fundamental problems of ecotourism is ambiguity and breadth of its interpretations and definitions. The authors consider controversial questions about the destructive function inherent in ecotourism, and outline the problem of its mythologization, the “crisis of legitimacy”, and the formation of the phenomenon of “eco-colonialism”. The article raises a problematic question about the discussion of the concept of ecotourism as kind of tourism, and substantiates the expediency of its positioning as an organizational form of the tourism industry. Within the framework of the discussion on components and the classification of ecotourism,

the authors present their classification of ecotourism types depending on the motivation factors and quantity of tourists. On this basis, the authors distinguish three form-clusters of ecotourism, including 16 of its types. The problem of integration of ecotourism scientific schools of different countries is considered.

The article considers the cases of the world experience of ecotourism and Russian practices of organization of this form of activity. The authors describe the principles for elaborating the ecological tourism marketing strategy of the Volga region. This region has huge potential for ecotourism development in the country, and its rich positive experience in this field can be taken as a basis for developing this kind of tourism activity in other regions of the country. The authors make conclusion about the necessity and urgency of a radical review of composition scheme and conceptual understanding of the phenomenon of ecotourism, which should become a paradigm of the whole tourism sphere, the basis for its further growth and development both in Russia and in the world.
Temperature behaviour on deposition of the titanium nitride thin films on the H13 steel by the electric arc discharge in vacuum
Authors: Lara-Ortiz Laura , Parada-Becerra Fredy Fabián , Valbuena-Niño Ely Dannier , Tsygankov Piotr A , Dugar-Zhabon Valeriy , Plata-Gómez Arturo
Published: November 2017

AbstractObjective: In this present research work the behaviour of temperature of the substrate manufactured in AISI H13 steel, in the range of and , during of surface deposition of titanium nitride (TiN) thin films by the technique of cathodic arc in vacuum. Results: The physical properties of the TiN films were obtained and analysed by the techniques of micro-indentation, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). Conclusion: It was determined that the increase in the temperature of the substrate during the deposition of TiN films improves the mechanical properties of the surface of the steel of type AISI H13, where the highest hardness was present in the coating deposited at a temperature of , which has a preferential orientation in the plane determined by the XRD patterns.Keyword: Coatings, Metal substrates, Substrate temperatureResumenObjetivo: En el presente trabajo de investigación se estudia el comportamiento de la temperatura del sustrato, fabricado en acero de tipo AISI H13, en el rango de y , durante la deposición superficial de películas delgadas de nitruro de titanio (TiN) por la técnica de arco catódico en vacío. Resultados: Las propiedades físicas de las películas de TiN fueron obtenidas y analizadas mediante las técnicas la micro-indentación, microscopía de fuerza atómica (AFM) y la difracción de rayos x (DRX). Conclusión: Se determinó que el incremento en la temperatura del sustrato durante la deposición de las películas de TiN, mejora las propiedades mecánicas de la superficie del acero de tipo AISI H13, donde la mayor dureza se presentó en el recubrimiento depositado a una temperatura de , el cual tiene una orientación preferencial en el plano determinada por los patrones de DRX.Palabra Clave: Revestimientos, Sustratos metálicos, Temperatura del sustrato Resumo Objetivo: No presente pesquisa é estudado o comportamento da temperatura do substrato, feito de aço de tipo AISI H13, no intervalo de e , durante a deposição superfície das películas finas de nitreto de titânio (TiN) por meio da técnica de arco catico em vácuo. Resultados: As propriedades físicas dos filmes de TiN foram obtidos e analisados pelas técnicas de micro-indentação, microscopia de força atómica (AFM) e difracção de raios-X (DRX). Conclusão: determinou-se que o aumento de temperatura do substrato durante a deposição do filme de TiN, melhora as propriedades mecânicas da superfície do aço de tipo AISI H13, onde a maior dureza foi apresentada no revestimento depositado a uma temperatura de , que tem uma orientação preferida no plano determinados pelos padrões de DRX.Palavras-chave: Revestimentos, Substratos metálicos, Temperatura do sustrato
Genetic variation of the japanese quail (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica) based on biochemical polymorphism
Authors: Akintan Adebukola , Osaiyuwu Osamede , Akinyemi Mabel
Published: November 2017

The study aimed at characterizing the Japanese quail using biochemical
markers. Blood protein polymorphism of one hundred and sixty-six (166)
Japanese quails of both sexes comprising of 83 each of mottled brown and
white quails were analysed using cellulose acetate paper electrophoresis. Six
loci which includes hemoglobin (Hb), transferrin (Tf), albumin (Alb),
carbonic anhydrase (CA), alkaline phosphatase (Alp) and esterase-1 (Es-1)
were tested. All the loci tested were polymorphic with each locus having two
co-dominant alleles controlling three genotypes. Allele B was predominant at
Hb, Tf and Es-1 locus with frequencies 0.90, 0.55, and 0.77, respectively
while Allele A was predominant at Alb and Alp locus with frequencies 0.83 and
0.58 respectively. The Allele A had generally lower frequencies than B at the
CA loci having values of 0.43 - Brown, 0.38 - White and 0.40 - overall. The
mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.48 with brown and white quails having
Ho values of 0.47 and 0.49 respectively, and the expected heterozygosity was
observed to be higher in white quails (0.39) than in the mottled brown
(0.31). The genetic distance (0.0534) between white and brown quails in this
study showed little genetic differentiation between the brown and the white
quails. Dendogram generated from the genetic distance values indicated that
the two strains had common origin.