bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of Power and Business in the Field of House-Hold Waste Reduction
Authors: Baynova M. S. , Nadtochiy Yu. B. , Petrov A. V.
Published: July 2021

The problem of wastes is drawing more and more attention in Russian society. Advanced companies introduce forms of separate garbage collection, programs of utilization and recycling of wastes, which fosters state policy in the field of waste treatment. The article studies acute home research dealing with interaction of power and business in the field of separate garbage collection and reduction of wastes. As for the reform that takes place in policy of waste treatment, research of the last 2-3 years can be especially interesting. The authors assess the lines in state policy in the field of waste treatment that refer to business, which are being realized in Russia now. Special attention is paid by state to new schemes of separate garbage collection, as well as enterprises dealing with collection and transportation of wastes, while state support to other sectors is still being discussed. Sociological survey of entrepreneurs show their interest in economic methods of stimulating waste recycling and search for new technologies. It is necessary to take into account the entrepreneurs' opinion in order to support business climate and foster the reform of waste treatment.
Investing into ETF – Exchange Investment Funds in Digital Economy
Authors: Shikhaleva E. A. , Mrochkovskiy N. S.
Published: July 2021

The article explains the notion of exchange investment funds as a tool of investing on stock exchange in conditions of digital economy. It studies attainable today tools for investing into exchange investment funds, structure, working mechanism, as well as goals and objectives of investment funds as a separate tool for investment. The authors identify the key aims of investing into investment funds available on the exchange and the sequence of using this investment tool. They show opportunities and threats of investing into exchange investment funds for the investor and necessary analytical tools for investing into exchange investment funds and also provide characteristics, which are essential for estimating and selecting investment funds by the investor. The article explains such terms as controlling company, liquidity, dividend yield, fund index, replication and demonstrates expediency of using tools of investing into investment funds for beginners and experienced investors. The authors research the present trends on the finance exchange in view of investing into exchange investment funds and come to the conclusion about basic preconditions for investing into investment funds.
Mechanisms of Innovation Development at Small Enterprises (illustrated by Volgograd Region) (illustrated by Volgograd Region)
Authors: Savitskaya O. E.
Published: July 2021

Small business quickly responds to changing market situation, which brings to economy a certain share of flexibility that fosters solution of employment problem and provides satisfaction of individual needs through mobilizing personnel and economic resources. Small enterprises present sound competition on regional market and promote scientific and technological progress in general. The partner model of interaction or the system of exchanges among the state, business and ‘third sector' that function apart in social and economic life of integrated society are feasible owing to mechanisms of innovation development. Private knowledge of the innovation enterprise, which is special for each small enterprise taking the leading positions forms elements of the program of innovation development of small enterprise. Specific competence of the small enterprise can provide a competitive advantage for it. The spots of innovation growth at small enterprises that possess sound scientific and technological foundation can generate a certain volume of innovation ideas. The innovation system as an element of production and economic tactics of small enterprise functioning is directly connected with innovation process. The article shows that innovation becomes a basis of long-term economic growth, prospects for their introduction are also pointed out. On the basis of preliminary analysis with due regard to the current economic situation in the country and region the author's variant of systematization of the mechanism of innovation development at small entrepreneurship was put forward.
potestad normativa: sistematización teórico jurídica y comparada en el contexto municipal.
Authors: León Mora Ana Laura , Hernández Aguilar Orisel , Alfonso Caveda Duniesky
Published: July 2021

La evolución del municipio como institución pública, constituye un reflejo directo del interés de las comunidades por la implementación de prácticas democráticas representativas de sus necesidades y aspiraciones, que tienen un reflejo importante en la producción normativa de este nivel de gobierno. Sobre tales bases, el presente estudio tiene como objetivo la sistematización teórico jurídica y doctrinal de la potestad normativa, para su ejercicio eficaz en el contexto municipal. Para ello, con el empleo de los métodos histórico jurídico, análisis jurídico doctrinal y comparación jurídica, se sistematizan los referentes históricos y teórico-conceptuales de la potestad normativa y se comparan jurídicamente las experiencias de países como Colombia, Ecuador y Bolivia.
Estrategia de turismo comunitario sostenible para el desarrollo local. Comunidad San Miguel Bajo, Otavalo, Ecuador.
Authors: Anguaya Cahimuel Luzmila , Diaz Gispert Lidia Ines
Published: July 2021

La comunidad San Miguel Bajo, desde décadas pasadas han venido desarrollando el turismo como actividad económica. Sin embargo, en la década pasada han visto un decrecimiento de sus ingresos, motivado por el deterioro de la infraestructura que poseen para hospedar a turistas nacionales y extranjeros, generando un alto porcentaje de desempleo comunitario. Siendo así, objetivo de esta investigación, proponer una estrategia que contribuya al desarrollo del turismo comunitario sostenible. El estudio se correspondió con una investigación descriptiva no experimental. Se utilizó una confiabilidad del 95%, un error máximo permisible igual a 0,05 mientras que la proporción muestral estimada, (61 familias) al no tener investigaciones anteriores que permitieran preestablecer este valor, fue considerada del 50%. La fiabilidad de la encuesta medida a través del Coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach fue de 0,896, por lo que se consideró alta. El procesamiento de los resultados se realizó por intermedio del SPSS versión 23. Las entrevistas a actores claves, fueron validadas a través del método de expertos. El principal hallazgo se formalizó en una estrategia para el turismo comunitario sostenible, que contribuyó a la generación de empleos en la comunidad San Miguel Bajo, articulándose con los objetivos de la parroquia. Dicha estrategia se socializó entre las autoridades cantonales, para su ejecución y seguimiento.
Accesibilidad en el centro histórico de Guayaquil: análisis de la calle Boyacá
Authors: Santana Moncayo César , Maroto Zamora Dennis
Published: July 2021

El objetivo del presente escrito es evaluar la accesibilidad y características de diseños existentes en una de las calles más antiguas de Guayaquil y su centro histórico: la calle Boyacá, la misma que presenta una historia por demás interesante, y que ha pasado por diversos procesos de cambios, hasta una regeneración total, como parte  por los procesos por los que el centro histórico de Guayaquil -y otros sectores- experimentaron desde el año 1999: la llamada “Regeneración Urbana”, y el valor que ha tenido este proceso para el fomento del turismo cultural. Es necesario aclarar que este escrito nace del proyecto denominado: Valoración del patrimonio arquitectónico del centro histórico de Guayaquil en el Turismo Cultural, que es desarrollado por la Facultad de Turismo y Hotelería de la Universidad Tecnológica ECOTEC. El escrito inicia con un marco teórico, donde se describirá el concepto y la importancia de la accesibilidad para el turismo; algunas definiciones de diseño universal, para luego pasar hacia la descripción de la metodología y exposición de resultados de las observaciones realizadas in situ, para finalizar en las conclusiones del estudio.
The Effect of 24/7, Digital-First, NHS Primary Care on Acute Hospital Spending: Retrospective Observational Analysis
Authors: Winward Sam , Patel Tejal , Al-Saffar Mazin , Noble Matthew
Published: July 2021

Background

Digital health has the potential to revolutionize health care by improving accessibility, patient experience, outcomes, productivity, safety, and cost efficiency. In England, the NHS (National Health Service) Long Term Plan promised the right to access digital-first primary care by March 31, 2024. However, there are few global, fully digital-first providers and limited research into their effects on cost from a health system perspective.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of highly accessible, digital-first primary care on acute hospital spending.

Methods

A retrospective, observational analysis compared acute hospital spending on patients registered to a 24/7, digital-first model of NHS primary care with that on patients registered to all other practices in North West London Collaboration of Clinical Commissioning Groups. Acute hospital spending data per practice were obtained under a freedom of information request. Three versions of NHS techniques designed to fairly allocate funding according to need were used to standardize or “weight” the practice populations; hence, there are 3 results for each year. The weighting adjusted the populations for characteristics that impact health care spending, such as age, sex, and deprivation. The total spending was divided by the number of standardized or weighted patients to give the spending per weighted patient, which was used to compare the 2 groups in the NHS financial years (FY) 2018-2019 (FY18/19) and 2019-2020 (FY19/20). FY18/19 costs were adjusted for inflation, so they were comparable with the values of FY19/20.

Results

The NHS spending on acute hospital care for 2.43 million and 2.54 million people (FY18/19 and FY19/20) across 358 practices and 49 primary care networks was £1.6 billion and £1.65 billion (a currency exchange rate of £1=US $1.38 is applicable), respectively. The spending on acute care per weighted patient for Babylon GP at Hand members was 12%, 31%, and 54% (£93, P=.047; £223, P<.001; and £389, P<.001) lower than the regional average in FY18/19 for the 3 weighting methodologies used. In FY19/20, it was 15%, 35%, and 51% (£114, P=.006; £246, P<.001; and £362, P<.001) lower. This amounted to lower costs for the Babylon GP at Hand population of £1.37, £4.40 million, and £11.6 million, respectively, in FY18/19; and £3.26 million, £9.54 million, and £18.8 million, respectively, in FY19/20.

Conclusions

Patients with access to 24/7, digital-first primary care incurred significantly lower acute hospital costs.
Rates of Assessment of Social Media Use in Psychiatric Interviews Prior to and During COVID-19: Needs Assessment Survey
Authors: Raphaely Shiri , Goldberg Simon B , Moreno Megan , Stowe Zachary
Published: July 2021

Background

Current research suggests that there is a nuanced relationship between mental well-being and social media. Social media offers opportunities for empowerment, information, and connection while also showing links with depression, high-risk behavior, and harassment. As this medium rapidly integrates into interpersonal interactions, incorporation of social media assessment into the psychiatric evaluation warrants attention. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures (ie, social distancing) led to increased dependence on social media, allowing an opportunity to assess the adaptation of psychiatric interviews in response to sociocultural changes.

Objective

The first aim of this study was to evaluate if general psychiatry residents and child and adolescent psychiatry fellows assessed social media use as part of the clinical interview. Second, the study examined whether changes were made to the social media assessment in response to known increase of social media use secondary to social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

As part of a quality improvement project, the authors surveyed general psychiatry residents and child psychiatry fellows in a university-based training program (n=21) about their assessment of social media use in patient evaluations. Soon after the survey closed, “stay-at-home” orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic began. A subsequent survey was sent out with the same questions to evaluate if residents and fellows altered their interview practices in response to the dramatic sociocultural changes (n=20).

Results

Pre-COVID-19 pandemic survey results found that 10% (2/21) of respondents incorporated social media questions in patient evaluations. In a follow-up survey after the onset of the pandemic, 20% (4/20) of respondents included any assessment of social media use. Among the 15 participants who completed both surveys, there was a nonsignificant increase in the likelihood of asking about social media use (2/15, 13% vs 4/15, 27%, for pre- and during COVID-19, respectively; McNemar χ21=0.25, P=.617, Cohen d=0.33).

Conclusions

These small survey results raise important questions relevant to the training of residents and fellows in psychiatry. The findings suggest that the assessment of social media use is a neglected component of the psychiatric interview by trainees. The burgeoning use and diversity of social media engagement warrant scrutiny with respect to how this is addressed in interview training. Additionally, given minimal adaptation of the interview in the midst of a pandemic, these findings imply an opportunity for improving psychiatric training that incorporates adapting clinical interviews to sociocultural change.
Authors’ Response to Peer Reviews of “The Exchange of Informational Support in Online Health Communities at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis” (Preprint)
Authors: Jong Wesley , Liang Ou Stella , Yang Christopher C
Published: July 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

These are author responses to peer review.
Peer Review of “The Exchange of Informational Support in Online Health Communities at the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis” (Preprint)
Authors: El Sherif Reem
Published: July 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

This is a peer review report.
The Role of Agency and Threat Immediacy in Interactive Digital Narrative Fear Appeals for the Prevention of Excessive Alcohol Use: Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
Authors: Engelbrecht Hendrik , van der Laan Laura Nynke , van Enschot Renske , Krahmer Emiel
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Serious games for the training of prevention behaviors have been widely recognized as potentially valuable tools for adolescents and young adults across a variety of risk behaviors. However, the role of agency as a distinguishing factor from traditional health interventions has seldom been isolated and grounded in the persuasive health communication theory. Fear appeals have different effects on intentions to perform prevention behaviors depending on the immediacy of the consequences. Looking into how to increase self-efficacy beliefs for health behavior with distant consequences is the first step toward improving game-based interventions for adverse health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of agency on self-efficacy and the intention to drink less alcohol in an interactive digital narrative fear appeal. Furthermore, the communicated immediacy of threat outcomes was evaluated as a potential moderator of the effect of agency on self-efficacy.

METHODS

A web-based experimental study was conducted with university students (N=178). The participants were presented with a fear appeal outlining the consequences of excessive alcohol use in a fully automated web-based interactive narrative. Participants either had perceived control over the outcome of the narrative scenario (high agency) or no control over the outcome (low agency). The threat was either framed as a short-term (high immediacy) or long-term (low immediacy) negative health outcome resulting from the execution of the risk behavior (drinking too much alcohol).

RESULTS

A total of 123 valid cases were analyzed. Self-efficacy and intention to limit alcohol intake were not influenced by the agency manipulation. Self-efficacy was shown to be a significant predictor of behavioral intention. The immediacy of the threat did not moderate the relationship between agency and self-efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Although agency manipulation was successful, we could not find evidence of an effect of agency or threat immediacy on self-efficacy. The implications for different operationalizations of different agency concepts, as well as the malleability of self-efficacy beliefs for long-term threats, are discussed. The use of repeated versus single interventions and different threat types (eg, health and social threats) should be tested empirically to establish a way forward for diversifying intervention approaches.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05321238; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05321238
What victims tell us about their sexual assault offenders: age, sex, victim-offender relationships, and type of threats (Preprint)
Authors: AL-Asadi Ali
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Sexual assault perpetrated mostly by males against mostly females is a serious crime that seems to remain relatively stable when other crimes have significantly declined. Many factors are involved in sexual assaults. Undertaking these factors and their relationships with one another is essential to designing and providing more efficient and empirically-based preventative and intervention programs.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine and analyze what victims of one sexual assault who sought therapy tell us about their sex, age at which they were assaulted, the sex and age of the perpetrator, the relationship with the perpetrator, and the type of threats used to gain their compliance.

METHODS

Therapists at eight sexual assault centers around the province of Alberta, Canada, completed a questionnaire on each of their clients over seven years. A total of 1525 participants, of which 1417 (92.92%) were female, and 108 (7.08%) were male victims of one sexual assault, were included in this study. Descriptive analyses were carried out on the six variables of concern in this study.

RESULTS

Female victims sought therapy by a ratio of 13:1 relative to male victims of one sexual assault. Victims seeking therapy reported that they were sexually assaulted by 1492 male and 33 female perpetrators, a 45:1 male to female ratio. Most female perpetrators (42.2%) were aged 30 years and older, followed by 39.4% aged 1-17 years. Most male perpetrators (46.2%) were aged 18-29 years, followed by 30.6% aged 30 and older. Perpetrators sexually offended mostly against their aged counterpart victims except for those aged 30 and older, who were involved in more cases of one sexual assault against a person in every age group. Over 90% of assaults were committed by a person known to the victim—acquaintances, friends, and dates comprised over 50%, and strangers 12.9% of cases. At 51.5%, physical force was the most common type of threat used by all perpetrators, followed by drugs and alcohol (13.2%), bribes and promises (11.5%), using weapons or threats of a weapon (9.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Female victims of sexual assault seek help more readily than males. The majority of victims of sexual assault are females, whereas the overwhelming majority of perpetrators are males. In addition, perpetrators of sexual assaults are mostly known to the victims and have some relationship. Finally, physical force is the threat used most often to gain victims' compliance.
Health Care Professionals’ Clinical Skills to Address Vaping and e-Cigarette Use by Patients: Needs and Interest Questionnaire Study (Preprint)
Authors: Metcalf Mary , Rossie Karen , Stokes Katie , Tanner Bradley
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

Widespread vaping and e-cigarette use is a relatively new phenomenon. Youth vaping peaked in 2019, with over 25% of high school students currently vaping. e-Cigarettes are used where smoking is not permitted or as an alternative smoking cessation treatment instead of Food and Drug Administration–approved options. Vaping and e-cigarette use has the potential to harm health, including causing adverse respiratory effects and nicotine addiction. Health care professionals need skills training to help their patients with this relatively new and evolving health problem.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to understand health care professionals’ training needs in this subject area to determine the focus for web-based continuing education training.

METHODS

We reviewed the literature on clinical aspects of vaping and e-cigarette use. Using the results and our experience in substance use continuing education, we created a list of key clinical skills and surveyed health care professionals about their training needs. We also asked about their interest in a list of related topics. We recruited individuals who completed our web-based courses on substance use, members of health care professional–related groups, and experts who had published an article on the subject. Half of the 31 health care professionals who completed the survey were physicians and the remainder were primarily nurses, social workers, and counselors. Participants self-identified as nonexperts (n=25) and experts (n=6) on vaping.

RESULTS

Participants who were nonexperts on average agreed or strongly agreed that they needed training in each of 8 clinical skills (n=25; range 3.7-4.4 agreement out of 5). The top two skills were recommending treatments for patients (4.4 out of 5, SD 0.49) and evaluating and treating the health effects of vaping and e-cigarette use (4.4 out of 5, SD 0.50). Experts agreed on the importance of training for health care professionals in all skills but rated the need for training higher than nonexperts for each topic. Over half of the participating health care professionals (44%-80%) were interested in nearly all (9/10, 90%) vaping-related topics on a checklist. The topics participants were most interested in were the pros and cons of vaping versus smoking and the health effects of second- and third-hand vaping. Primary care physicians showed more interest in vaping-related topics than nonprimary care physicians (t13=2.17; P=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed gaps in health care professionals’ vaping-related clinical skills identified in the literature by identifying a perceived need for training in related skills and health care professionals’ interest in key topics related to vaping prevention and cessation. This study provides specific guidance on which clinical skills training is most needed and which topics are most interesting to health care professionals.
Seroepidemiological Survey on the Impact of Smoking on SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Outcomes: Protocol for the Troina Study (Preprint)
Authors: Polosa Riccardo , Tomaselli Venera , Ferrara Pietro , Romeo Alba Corina , Rust Sonja , Saitta Daniela , Caraci Filippo , Romano Corrado , Thangaraju Murugesan , Zuccarello Pietro , Rose Jed , Cantone Giulio Giacomo , Ferrante Margherita , Belsey Jonathan , Cibella Fabio , Interlandi Elisa , Ferri Raffaele
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND

After the global spread of SARS-CoV-2, research has highlighted several aspects of the pandemic, focusing on clinical features and risk factors associated with infection and disease severity. However, emerging results on the role of smoking in SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility or COVID-19 outcomes are conflicting, and their robustness remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

In this context, this study aims at quantifying the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence, studying the changes in antibody levels over time, and analyzing the association between the biochemically verified smoking status and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

METHODS

The research design involves a 6-month prospective cohort study with a serial sampling of the same individuals. Each participant will be surveyed about their demographics and COVID-19–related information, and blood sampling will be collected upon recruitment and at specified follow-up time points (ie, after 8 and 24 weeks). Blood samples will be screened for the presence of SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies and serum cotinine, being the latter of the principal metabolite of nicotine, which will be used to assess participants’ smoking status.

RESULTS

The study is ongoing. It aims to find a higher antibody prevalence in individuals at high risk for viral exposure (ie, health care personnel) and to refine current estimates on the association between smoking status and SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS

The added value of this research is that the current smoking status of the population to be studied will be biochemically verified to avoid the bias associated with self-reported smoking status. As such, the results from this survey may provide an actionable metric to study the role of smoking in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes, and therefore to implement the most appropriate public health measures to control the pandemic. Results may also serve as a reference for future clinical research, and the methodology could be exploited in public health sectors and policies.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/32285
The Developments of Trafficking in Women in Post-Revolution Tunisia
Authors: Haffar Racha
Published: July 2021

The Tunisian Uprising of 2011 played as a catalyst in relation to the development of trafficking in women into reaching today's notions, categories and numbers of victims. The increase in the rate of female victims of trafficking at the local and transnational levels has urged the Tunisian authorities to pay more attention to the shortcomings of the laws and the legal national framework in general. This study will discuss the historical and legal developments of the issue of trafficking in women in Tunisia. It will explore the case studies of certain categories of local and transnational female victims and focus on the re-victimization of women throughout the trafficking process and after. My research will depend basically on first-hand resources for accurate, yet new information, statistics and testimonies. I obtained my information through interviewing governmental and non-governmental officials. I have reached out to all concerned civil society actors who work on the issue of trafficking for statistics and data relevant to victims and traffickers and also in an attempt to know the role these actors play in fighting trafficking. This research depends on official data from different governmental bodies, mainly the Ministry of Interior and Justice. I am using also newspapers articles and things written on the different forms of internal and transnational trafficking in Tunisia like the Jihad al-Nikah3 and forced prostitution, and others examples. I managed to collect data through conducting interviews with officials, getting statistics and having access to law cases from Tunisian courts.
Red Light Refracted: Impacts of COVID-19 on Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Keaveney Erika , Iyer Mithila , Liu Xiran , Jackson Rachael , Kysia Kareem
Published: July 2021

NORC conducted a mixed-methods rapid assessment of the impacts of COVID-19 on commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) in Maharashtra, India, with funding from the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS). Findings show that while demand for commercial sex has dropped since the start of the pandemic, vulnerability to CSE has increased and there is early evidence that this supply-demand gap is leading to deflation in the price of sex. With a larger pool of potential victims and low demand, price deflation may lead to poorer living conditions and heightened abuse of victims. Furthermore, the pandemic is accelerating shifts in the channels through which people buy and sell sex, making CSE harder to identify and shut down over the longer-term.
A Model of Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration in Regional Anti-Slavery Efforts
Authors: Baer Erica , Olivares Refael , McGaha Johnny , Koss Caldarone Tama
Published: July 2021

The hidden nature of the horrendous crime of trafficking in persons makes it difficult to accurately determine the extent of the problem, both nationally and locally. Additionally, the complexities, time consuming investigations, resource and jurisdictional challenges, issues with traumatized victims who are often reluctant to identify, and/or testify against the traffickers, all result in low levels of prosecution. Any successful outcome of these difficult cases mandates the strong communication and collaboration of all agencies involved, including law enforcement, prosecution, and a variety of victim’s services. This paper presents one relatively successful task force model.
Learning From Incidents to Improve Services: Kenyan Victims’ Reaction to a Migrant Labour Scam in Thailand
Authors: Mmbali Oscar
Published: July 2021

Incidents that occur at workplace can serve as sources of unique knowledge from which organizations can derive information that can be insightful when drawing lessons on how to improve the functions, structures, or services of the organizations. In May 2015, a human trafficking and migrant labor syndicate was uncovered in Bangkok. Victims were Kenyans who had been lured into the scam, while seeking job opportunities abroad. This is a qualitative case study which describes and interprets Kenyan victims’ reaction to a migrant labor scam in Thailand.
Measuring Government Responses to Modern Slavery: Vietnam Case Study
Authors: Hedwards Bodean , Bryant Katharine
Published: July 2021

In 2014, the Walk Free Foundation released the second edition of the Global Slavery Index (the Index). The annual report estimated the number of people in modern slavery in 167 countries, assessed government responses to this issue, and examined the factors that contribute to risk of enslavement. This paper will provide an overview of the evolution of the government response component for the 2014 edition of the Index, explore the challenges involved in quantifying a government response to modern slavery through an examination of the situation in Vietnam, and highlight how the conceptual framework attempts to capture the various social, political and cultural intricacies involved in responding to modern slavery. Finally, the paper will discuss some of the limitations of applying a comprehensive framework to varied socio-political contexts, and identify potential ways forward as the Walk Free Foundation strives to address the gaps in research on responses to modern slavery.
A Quantitative Analysis of Commercial Sex Advertisements During Super Bowl XLVIII
Authors: Bach Jesse , Mintz Courtney , Dohy Jennifer
Published: July 2021

The Super Bowl is commonly known as the single largest human trafficking incident in the United States where an inordinate number of children may be trafficked in or around the host area to engage in commercial sex (Jee, 2011; Jervis, 2011). To examine this claim, our research team mined publicly available data from a major website known to host commercial sex advertisements for three months before and two months after Super Bowl XLVIII, held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
John Locke’s Doctrine of Limited Government: Establishment, Limitations and Criticisms
Authors: Ziyang Pan , Shan Liang
Published: July 2021

John Locke was a famous political philosopher in the 17th century. The theory of limited government proposed by Locke in the Second Treatise of Government has delivered a profound impact on the modern politics. Based on the theoretical foundation of liberalism, Locke argues that, for the purpose of defending the right to private property, only when the majority agree can we establish a government after signing the social contract and shifting from the state of nature to the political society. By analyzing the limitations of the source, affiliation and range of government power, this paper demonstrates the limitations of the limited government as the rule of law and the separation of powers on the inside, and the collapse of government and people’s revolution on the outside. In the process of modernizing the national governance system and governance capacity, it is necessary for developing countries to be fully confident in their political systems and absorb what is best from Locke’s theory so as to build a modern service-oriented government.
Effect of Organic Acid Applications on Organoleptic Properties of Ground Pork
Authors: Vargas D. A. , Miller M. , Garnica H. , English A. , Hanlon K. , Brashears M.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the impact of intervention treatments on the organoleptic properties of ground pork during shelf-life.Materials and MethodsPork trimmings were divided into 22 kg batches for each individual treatment (n = 4 batches). Treatments included control (no intervention), PAA+Titon [Sulfuric acid and sodium sulfate (pH 1.3) combined with peracetic acid (350 ppm)], PAA+Acetic [Peracetic acid (400 ppm) with 2% acetic acid], and LA [Lactic acid (3%)]. After application of each designated treatment, trimmings were ground (coarse and then fine ground) and packaged into 454-g vacuum packaged rollstock packaging. Each package was then stored in dark storage for 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d at 2–4°C (n = 8 packages per treatment and time combination). Once each package had reached their designated storage length, packages were removed from storage for sampling. Shelf-life measurements taken included TBARS, raw product odor acceptability, aerobic plate count and psychrotrophic plate count bacterial enumeration. All bacterial enumeration data were converted into log10 for statistical analysis, and the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS was used to determine differences between least squared means (SAS Inst. Inc., Version 9.4, Cary, NC). Odor acceptability was determined using a PROC FREQ.ResultsFor aerobic plate counts (APC), in the ground pork product, a treatment by day interaction occurred (P = 0.007). Psychrotrophic bacterial counts did not differ by treatment or sampling day (P > 0.05). PAA+Titon and LA had decreased lipid oxidation compared to PAA+Acetic and control pork samples over the 28 d of storage. Lipid oxidation didn’t change for all 4 treatments on Days 0, 14, 21, and 28; however, there was an unexplainable spike in lipid oxidation for samples on Day 7. Overall pork odor acceptability differed by storage length (P = 0.02), but not by treatment (P > 0.05). Overall Pork odor acceptability decreased as storage length increased. Acidic off-odor differed by storage length (P = 0.002), but not by treatment (P > 0.05). Acidic off-odor increased as storage length increased. Overall oxidation off-odor did not differ by treatment or aging (P > 0.05). Sweaty off-odor development differed by aging day (P = 0.01) but not by treatment (P > 0.05). Sweaty off-odor reached its highest point within Day 14 and 21 and then decreased. An increasing sour off-odor development differed by ground pork storage length (P = 0.001), but not by treatment (P > 0.05).ConclusionThere were no dramatic negative organoleptic changes to pork trim when treated with selected organic acid interventions prior to grinding, meanwhile there is organoleptic changes by storage length.
Survival of Acid Resistant Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli to Organic and Inorganic Acids
Authors: Villatoro K. M. , Yang L. , Yang X.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesThe shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) has been involved in a series of outbreaks around the world. Organic acids, such as lactic acid, have been used in meat plants to control STEC. However, STEC has shown its capacity to survive in low acid environments, which may compromise the effectiveness of organic acid interventions. Similarly, STEC may also survive in human stomach fluid (pH 1.5– 3.5), which can potentially result in clinical infections. Thus, the objective was to compare the ability of acid-resistant (AR) STEC to survive in inorganic and organic acid at different pH levels.Materials and MethodsFor this study, five AR STEC strains were used to make an inoculum for the study. The AR STEC inoculum was challenged in acidified TSB with lactic acid (2% at pH 3.2; 5% at pH 2.8) and TSB with hydrochloric acid (HCl; to simulate human stomach acid) at pH 1.6, 2.8, 3.2 and 3.5 for 2, 4, 6, and 8 h at 37°C. After the acid challenge, the survival bacteria counts were plated on TSA plates and incubated for 48 h at 37°C. The complete experiment was repeated five times. The data was analyzed using the generalized linear model of the SAS 9.4.ResultsThe AR STEC showed a distinct ability to survive in organic and inorganic acid, even with the same pH. Exposure of AR STEC to HCl with pH 3.2 and 3.5 for 8 h resulted in the highest (P < 0.01) survival counts across all the treatments. When AR STEC was challenged with HCl at pH 1.6, no survival cells were recovered on TSA plates after 4 h. No additional reduction of AR STEC was observed when exposure time to HCl at pH 2.8 and 3.2 was increased. However, no growth (P < 0.01) of AR STEC was observed after exposure to lactic acid at the same pH by time.ConclusionLactic acid (2% and 5%) effectively controlled the growth of AR STEC in pure culture. However, if AR STEC can survive through the meat production chain, they may survive in the human stomach for an extended period when the pH is higher than 1.6. The results of the study emphasize that it is necessary to eliminate AR STEC before they enter the human body, as they are more resistant in inorganic acid, such as the HCl found in human stomach fluid.Table 8Least squares means (LSmeans; standard error) of the survival counts for acid-resistant Escherichia coli exposed to hydrochloric acid (HCl) and lactic acid (LA) at different pH through time. a-g Least squares means with a different superscript letter are significantly different (P < 0.05).
Influence of Cook Method and Degree of Doneness on Beef Flavor Attributes in Round Steaks
Authors: Smith P. N. , Pena C. A. , Miller R. K. , Kesterson H. F. , Woerner D. R. , Kerth C. R.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesIt has been well established that cooking method, marbling level, and cooked internal temperature endpoint affect beef flavor, the most important driver of consumer acceptance. However, beef cuts respond differently to cooking method and cooked internal temperature endpoint based on their inherent chemical characteristics.Materials and MethodsTreatments were: beef cuts (inside round, bottom round, and eye of round); USDA beef quality grade (upper two-thirds Choice and Select); cooking methods (pan grill, stir fry, stew no marinade, stew marinade, and roast); and internal cook temperature endpoints (58, 70, and 80°C). The pan grill cook method included 0.25 and 0.75 in samples from each muscle type. The stir fry cook method treatment was limited to 0.25 in cuts, which were cut into 1.00 in strips prior to cooking. The marinated and non-marinated stew cook method treatments included 0.25 and 0.75 in samples from each muscle. These samples were then cut into 0.25 × 1.00 × 1.00 in and 0.75 × 1.00 × 1.00 in samples prior to cooking. Stew marinated samples were marinated with 118 mL water, 90 mL lemon juice, 30 mL canola oil, 5 mL salt, and 2.5 mL pepper. Two lb roasts were cut from bottom round and eye of round subprimals and inside round subprimals were cut into 2.00 in roasts prior to cooking. An expert descriptive beef flavor and texture attribute panel evaluated each sample using 16-point scales for flavor and texture attributes. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were determined. The trained panel results and WBSF values were analyzed using Proc Means and Proc GLMMIX procedures of SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute, Cary, NC) with a predetermined α of 5%.ResultsQuality grade impacted flavor for the inside round (P < 0.05). USDA quality grade had minimal effect on tenderness as expected, as beef round cuts are highly active muscles in the animal and contain considerable amounts of connective tissue. Cooking method and internal cook temperature endpoint, or cooking time for the stewing cooking treatment, impacted beef flavor to a greater extent (P < 0.05). When pan fried, thicker cuts resulted in more positive flavor attributes. For cuts that were roasted, cooking to higher internal temperatures resulted in higher levels of beef identity, roasted, and umami flavors and less serumy/bloody flavors, as well as decreased tenderness (P < 0.0001), especially in inside round roasts. Marinated round cuts were more tender than their non-marinated counterparts (P < 0.0001). Cuts that were thinner and had longer cooking times were more tender but had more off-flavor attributes (P < 0.05).ConclusionCut thickness, cooking method, length of cooking or internal cook temperature endpoint, and presence of marinade affected flavor and texture of bottom round, eye of round, and inside round cuts. This data will be useful in providing consumer and food service personnel recommendation on how to maximize the flavor and texture of beef round cuts.
Modified Atmospheric Packaging and Antioxidant Enhancement Improves Redness of Atypical Dark-Cutting Beef
Authors: Yoder L. , Cassens A. , Mafi G. , VanOverbeke D. , Ramanathan R.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesDark-cutting carcasses occur when muscle pH does not decrease sufficiently during rigor mortis because of antemortem glycogen depletion. Typical dark-cutting beef have a pH > 6.0, however, atypical dark-cutting (ADC) beef have a pH around 5.7- 5.9 but have a darker lean color similar to dark-cutting beef. Previous studies noted that greater muscle pH in dark-cutting beef increase oxygen consumption and decrease myoglobin oxygenation. However, limited research has determined the biochemical basis of ADC. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to characterize the biochemical basis of ADC beef carcasses and to utilize modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and rosemary enhancement to improve appearance during retail display.Materials and MethodsStrip loins from ADC and USDA Low Choice (C) carcasses were selected from a commercial beef processing plant and transported to the Food and Agricultural Products Center in Stillwater, OK. Control (C) and ADC steaks (prior to enhancement and packaging) were utilized to measure pH, color, oxygen consumption, and proximate compositions. Loin sections were cut into halves and randomly assigned to combinations of packaging types and enhancement treatment. Packaging included high-oxygen MAP (HiOx-MAP; 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide), carbon monoxide MAP (CO-MAP; 0.4% CO, 69.6% N, and 30% CO2), and PVC. Enhancement includes 0.1% rosemary oleoresin pumped to 10% of loin green weights. Following enhancement and packaging, steaks were displayed under retail conditions for 6 d to measure color changes using a HunterLab spectrophotometer. The data were analyzed using the Mixed Procedure of SAS, and the experiment was replicated 13 times (n = 13).ResultsThere were no differences for initial pH or proximate compositions (P < 0.05) between C and ADC. However, ADC had lower initial lightness (L* values), redness (a* values), and red intensity (chroma) compared with C. Further, ADC had greater (P < 0.05) oxygen consumption than C. There was a significant packaging × enhancement × display time interaction resulted for L*, a*, and chroma. CO-MAP and HiOx-MAP in combination with rosemary enhancement improved (P < 0.05) redness of ADC by 61.7% and 42.3%, respectively, compared with ADC in PVC packaging. Similarly, MAP and enhancement improved lightness (L* values) and chroma compared with ADC in PVC. By Day 6 of display, enhanced ADC steaks packaged in both HiOx-MAP and CO-MAP had similar color parameters to control choice steaks; however, non-enhanced ADC steaks had significantly lower a* (P < 0.0001) and chroma (P < 0.01) values when packaged in HiOx-MAP when compared to both C and enhanced ADC.ConclusionThe results suggest that ADC beef has greater oxygen consumption than C steaks even at similar muscle pH. Use of modified atmospheric packaging in combination with enhancement has the potential to improve surface color of ADC beef.
Differential Protein Abundance in Dark-Cutting and Normal-pH Beef
Authors: Kiyimba F. , Hartson S. , Rogers J. , Mafi G. , VanOverbeke D. , Ramanathan R.
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesDark-cutting beef is a meat quality defect in which meat does not display the marketable bright-red color. Although previous studies have indicated that the ultimate pH of dark-cutting beef is greater than normal, the mechanistic basis for the occurrence is not clear. Various mitochondrial and glycolytic enzymes/proteins are involved in muscle metabolism and lowering of pH. However, limited knowledge is currently available on the muscle protein profile differences between dark-cutting and normal-pH beef. The objective of the current study was to identify proteins related to the development of the dark-cutting condition by comparing the protein expression differences between dark-cutting and normal-pH beef.Materials and MethodsDark-cutting and normal-pH beef samples were collected from six (n = 6) different animals after slaughter. Tissue samples (0.5 g) were digested in 5 mL of lysis buffer. Tissue lysates were homogenized, boiled, sonicated using a bioruptor and centrifuged at 10,000 g for 10 min. Samples were digested with trypsin/Lys-C overnight at 37°C, after which additional 2 µg/mL of protease was added and digestion was continued for another 8h. The resulting trypsinolytic peptides were acidified to 1% trifluoroacetic acid and purified by solid phase extraction with C18 affinity media. Protein expression profiles of both dark-cutting and normal-pH beef samples were determined using LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Collected raw data instrument files were searched against a bovine proteome database of 23,968 bovine proteome sequences using MaxQuant (V.1.5.3.8). Differential protein expression analysis was done in Perseus (V.1.5.1.3). Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was utilized to determine the significant pathways of the differentially expressed proteins in dark-cutting and normal-pH beef. Gene ontology enrichment pathway analysis was performed to determine the main functions of the differentially expressed proteins in dark-cutting and normal-pH beef identified in our samples.ResultsMass spectrometry analysis identified 1148 proteins, and 97 of these proteins were differentially expressed between normal-pH and dark-cutting beef (P < 0.05). Fold change of 1.5 was observed for 29 proteins. Dark-cutting beef had 19 abundant proteins, while normal-pH beef had 10 abundant proteins. The majority of the upregulated proteins in dark-cutting beef were involved in mitochondrial functioning and metabolism, while the majority of the downregulated proteins were important in glycogen degradation, calcium signaling, α-adrenergic signaling, n-NOS-signaling and the proteasome pathways.ConclusionThe results identify new protein biomarkers associated with dark-cutting and suggest new mechanistic explanations for the dark-cutting phenotype.