bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Negative Positivity: Book Prize Success, Audience Response and Literary Value
Authors: Shanahan Katie
Published: February 2021

Literary prizes purport to honour ‘superior’ authors and their works, judging which books are ‘the best’ in a given year and announcing it for the world to react to. Whilst it is widely assumed that monetarily winning a prize is a good thing, previous studies have noted what appears to be a negative correlation between prize success and audience reactions. Building on findings in Kovács and Sharkey’s quantitative study of three prestigious literary awards (2014), this article reports on a comparative, mixed methods study of a wider range of book prizes, including more commercial and genre-specific awards. It explores the impact of changing reading habits and new ways of sharing responses to reading on the oxymoronic phenomenon of negative positivity. The research comprises quantitiative analysis of the effects of different book prizes on book sales and on star ratings on Goodreads, and qualitative analysis of popular reviews of prize-winning novels. The article aims to illuminate the effects of different prizes on audience response and to consider how both may contribute to literary value.
Employer branding: una exploración del campo de conocimiento a partir de indicadores bibliométricos
Authors: Neme-Chaves Samir Ricardo , López-Rodríguez Campo Elías
Published: February 2021

The relevance of employer branding guides its reason for being in the collaborators of the organizations, these being one of the main stakeholders to whom it must guide the nature of marketing, providing value proposals to this important internal client. The objective of this study is to show an overview of the development of research on the subject. Using the Scopus database, 430 records were analyzed. Through the exploration of different bibliometric indicators, the most productive authors and countries, the most cited publications, as well as cooperation between authors, analysis of the co-occurrence of citations and keywords are identified. Finally, it seeks the identification of current and future research areas of the employer branding.
Penahanan Rizieq Shihab dalam Bingkai Media Online Indonesia
Authors: Thibburruhany Thibburruhany
Published: February 2021

This article aims to compare the framing carried out by three Indonesian online media regarding the incidents of Rizieq Shihab's detention in Saudi Arabia. Using Robert N. Entman's framing analysis, the researchers uncovered how Kompas.com, Tribunnews.com, and Detik.com framed the incident. The three media were chosen based on the number of visitors accessing the Alexa.com website ranking (10 November 2018). Issue selection and aspect prominence are two things that the authors compare from the three selected sites. Both were analyzed using a four-stage model starting with (1) defining problems; (2) cause diagnosis; (3) make moral judgment; and (4) treatment recommendation. This study concludes that the three online media have various framing. This has implications for the image of Rizieq Shihab’s figure built by each media.Artikel ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan pembingkaian yang dilakukan oleh tiga media online Indonesia terkait peristiwa penahanan Rizieq Shihab di Arab Saudi. Menggunakan analisis framing Robert N. Entman, peneliti membongkar bagaimana Kompas.com, Tribunnews.com, dan Detik.com melakukan pembingkaian terhadap peristiwa tersebut. Ketiga media tersebut dipilih berdasar banyaknya pengunjung yang mengakses melalui ranking situs Alexa.com (10 November 2018). Seleksi isu dan penonjolan aspek adalah dua hal yang penulis bandingkan dari tiga situs terpilih. Keduanya dianalisis menggunakan model empat tahap yang dimulai dengan (1) mendefinisikan masalah (define problems); (2) menemukan alasan (diagnose cause); (3) membuat pernyataan moral (make moral judgement); dan rekomendasi penyelesaian (treatment recommendation). Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa ketiga media online tersebut memiliki pembingkaian yang beragam. Hal ini berimplikasi pada citra sosok Rizieq Shihab yang dibangun oleh masing-masing media.
Practical generation of common random strings for secure multiparty computations over the Internet
Authors: Vajda István
Published: February 2021

It is known that most of the interesting multiparty cryptographic tasks cannot be implemented securely without trusted setup in a general concurrent network environment like the Internet. We need an appropriate trusted third party to solve this problem.  An important trusted setup is a public random string shared by the parties. We present a practical n-bit coin toss protocol for provably secure implementation of such setup. Our idea is inviting external peers into the execution of the protocol to establish an honest majority among the parties. We guarantee security in the presence of an unconditional, static, malicious adversary. Additionally, we present an original practical idea of using live public radio broadcast channels for the generation of common physical random source.
Liquid antisolvent recrystallization and solid dispersion of flufenamic acid with polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Kumar Sanjay , Chaudhari Pranava , Thakur Amit K.
Published: February 2021

Flufenamic acid (FFA) is a Biopharmaceutical Classification System- II (BCS-II) class drug with poor bioavailability and a lower dissolution rate. Particle size reduction is one of the conventional approaches to increase the dissolution rate and subsequently the bioavailability. The use of the liquid antisolvent method for particle size reduction of FFA was studied in this work. Ethanol and water were used as solvent and antisolvent, respectively. Experimental parameters such as solution concentration (10–40 mg/ml), flow rate (120–480 ml/h), temperature (298–328 K) and stirring speed (200–800 rpm) were investigated. Furthermore, the solid dispersion of FFA was prepared with polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 (PVP K-30) with different weight ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4) and samples were characterized using SEM, FTIR and XRD techniques. The experimental investigation revealed that higher values of concentration, injection rate, stirring speed, along with lower temperature favored the formation of fine particles. SEM analysis revealed that the morphology of raw FFA changed from rock-like to rectangular-like after liquid antisolvent recrystallization. FTIR analysis validated the presence of hydrogen bonding between FFA and PVP in solid dispersion. XRD analysis showed no significant change in the crystallinity of the processed FFA.
Outer Hair Cell Glutamate Signaling through Type II Spiral Ganglion Afferents Activates Neurons in the Cochlear Nucleus in Response to Nondamaging Sounds
Authors: Weisz Catherine J.C. , Williams Sean-Paul G. , Eckard Chad S. , Divito Christopher B. , Ferreira David W. , Fantetti Kristen N. , Dettwyler Shenin A. , Cai Hou-Ming , Rubio Maria E. , Kandler Karl , Seal Rebecca P.
Published: February 2021

Cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) are known to uniquely participate in auditory processing through their electromotility, and like inner hair cells, are also capable of releasing vesicular glutamate onto spiral ganglion (SG) neurons: in this case, onto the sparse Type II SG neurons. However, unlike glutamate signaling at the inner hair cell-Type I SG neuron synapse, which is robust across a wide spectrum of sound intensities, glutamate signaling at the OHC-Type II SG neuron synapse is weaker and has been hypothesized to occur only at intense, possibly damaging sound levels. Here, we tested the ability of the OHC-Type II SG pathway to signal to the brain in response to moderate, nondamaging sound (80 dB SPL) as well as to intense sound (115 dB SPL). First, we determined the VGluTs associated with OHC signaling and then confirmed the loss of glutamatergic synaptic transmission from OHCs to Type II SG neurons in KO mice using dendritic patch-clamp recordings. Next, we generated genetic mouse lines in which vesicular glutamate release occurs selectively from OHCs, and then assessed c-Fos expression in the cochlear nucleus in response to sound. From these analyses, we show, for the first time, that glutamatergic signaling at the OHC-Type II SG neuron synapse is capable of activating cochlear nucleus neurons, even at moderate sound levels.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTEvidence suggests that cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) release glutamate onto Type II spiral ganglion neurons only when exposed to loud sound, and that Type II neurons are activated by tissue damage. Knowing whether moderate level sound, without tissue damage, activates this pathway has functional implications for this fundamental auditory pathway. We first determined that OHCs rely largely on VGluT3 for synaptic glutamate release. We then used a genetically modified mouse line in which OHCs, but not inner hair cells, release vesicular glutamate to demonstrate that moderate sound exposure activates cochlear nucleus neurons via the OHC-Type II spiral ganglion pathway. Together, these data indicate that glutamate signaling at the OHC-Type II afferent synapse participates in auditory function at moderate sound levels.
Overview of the Trade Relations Between the European Community/Union and the United States at the Threshold of Globalization and Post -globalization Era
Authors: Ludwikowski Rett R.
Published: February 2021

The main goal of this article is to present to the European reader the implications of the unstable relationships between the United States and an integrated Europe. The article focuses on the trade relations between the US and Europe in the globalization era. It explains the meaning of some basic terms used by trade experts, such as globalization, regionalization, glocalization, and strategic trade. The author also tries to explore the reasons for the recent crisis of global trade. The main part of the paper reviews the major disputes between these two regions which resulted in postponing of the negotiations of the Trans -Atlantic Free Trade Agreement. As we have observed in the introduction of the article, the relationships between the European Union and the United States have always been complicated and the article presents the main reasons for these disagreements. In a time of renewed Trans -Atlantic negotiations, pro -American sentiments in Europe grew stronger, and European experts on trade and politics emphasized that the US significantly increased support for the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI). Still, with comments repeated by President Trump many times that “Europe needs its own army”, the European media began warning the readers that the crisis in US -EU relations may soon return.
The Influence of Populistic and Protectionist Policy of the Trump Administration on the Treatment of Foreign Nationals Applying for Immigration Benefits
Authors: Ludwikowski Anna M.
Published: February 2021

The article focuses on the obstacles to legal immigration imposed by the Trump administration against those who are already in the US pursuant to their valid non -immigrant classification and those who are abroad and trying to reunite with family members in the US or seeking entry having a legitimate job offer from a US employer. Recent changes in US immigration policy have been achieved through restrictive interpretation and enforcement of existing law by the USCIS which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, and by the State Department (DOS) rather than by substantive legislative changes done in Congress. The article provides an overview of the most recent governmental restrictions affecting so called “business immigration” and family -based immigrant processing, and also restrictions on suspension of entry to the US due to Covid-19, introduced through presidential proclamations. Although the federal courts blocked several of these administrative initiatives, the anti--immigrant atmosphere is having a big negative impact on many groups of foreign nationals. Nationalistic notions of “making America great again” that should be accomplished through “buy American and hire American” principle, and legal uncertainty causing ongoing federal lawsuits will undoubtedly lead to America’s further isolationism if President Trump wins the November 2020 election.
Transparency of information contained in the state budget from the view of utility for the citizen
Authors:   Faculty of Management, University of Gdańsk, Jastrzębska Maria Elżbieta
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to assess the transparency of information contained in the state budget from the point of view of usefulness for the citizen and to recommend actions to increase the transparency of information in this regard. Methods – Descriptive analysis and deductive and inductive reasoning were used. Research description – The essence of fiscal transparency in the context of social responsibility of the government was discussed. The scope of information included in: the multi-year financial state finance, the budget act, the report on the implementation of the state budget, the analysis of the implementation of the state budget was analyzed. The assessment of information in the above-mentioned scope was carried out from the point of view of usefulness for the citizen and the flow of information between the government and citizens about public funds collected and allocated by the state budget. Finally, recommendations were made for actions to be taken to increase the transparency of information contained in the state budget. Results – The transparency of the information contained in the state budget (at the stage of its planning, adoption, implementation, reporting and controlling budget implementation) is very limited from the point of view of its usefulness for the citizen. It is necessary to take specific actions to increase the transparency of information contained in the state budget from the point of view of its usefulness for the citizen. Originality / value – the literature on the subject lacks publications devoted to the issue of transparency of the state budget in our country. The article addresses this research problem by assessing the content of information published by the government in the state budget as the basic public fund from the point of view of the usefulness of this information for the citizen.
The VAT complexity, a comparative analysis for Germany and Poland
Authors:   Department of Business and Economics, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Stiller Wojciech
Published: February 2021

Purpose – This article aims to examine the complexity of the value added tax (VAT) in Germany and Poland. Research method – This paper uses a quantitative analysis of the VAT Act and a selected amendment to this Act in Germany and Poland. I consider the German and Polish language versions of the VAT Directive and the Vouchers Directive as a benchmark for comparing VAT complexity. A comparison of a number of law amendments and compliance costs in both countries enhances the analysis. Results – The VAT complexity in Poland significantly exceeds the complexity of the German VAT system. This is true for all analysed aspects. In Poland, the compliance costs of VAT are significantly higher than in Germany. The Polish VAT law is amended more frequently and is much more comprehensive than its German counterpart. This can be only partially justified by special regulations to combat tax fraud. The high VAT complexity in Poland is also due to the complicated language and structure of the law. Although the German translation of the Vouchers Directive includes more words than the Polish version, the Polish legislator needs about twice as many words as their German counterpart for its implementation. Originality /value – Tax law is often criticised for its complexity. This study is the first to use the VAT Directive for a comparative study of the VAT complexity and reveals that the Polish legislator uses considerably more text for similar content than their German counterpart.
Institution of VAT binding rate information – theoretical and practical aspects
Authors:   Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw, Rogowska-Rajda Beata
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the new institution, i.e. the Binding Rate Information, in theoretical and practical terms. Therefore, the nature of this institution and its impact on business finances will be examined. This article also aims to verify the degree of its use by entrepreneurs and indicate possible directions of future changes. Research method – Literature reviews, analysis of legal acts, analysis of the decisions issued by administrative courts and the CJEU, and analysis of statistical data which relates to Binding Rate Information were used as part of this research. Research description – The analysis includes legal regulations concerning VAT rates and their impact on enterprises; also statistical data processed by the National Revenue Information System (KIS) in respect of Binding Rate Information issued. Results – Binding Rate Information reduces the tax risk of entrepreneurs related to the application of VAT rates. For this reason, entrepreneurs are willing to take advantage of this institution. However, this institution may have a negative impact on the finances of enterprises by distorting their competitiveness on the market in case of differences in the judicial decisions issued on rates classification. Consequently, it is crucial to maintain uniformity in the issued decisions. Despite the positive assessment of the new institution, it is necessary to consider to set it in a specific timeframe, and to limit the legal protection guaranteed by this institution in certain situations. It is recommended that further analysis should be undertaken with respect to extending the scope of binding information to include VAT exemptions.
Heuristics and biases as sources of negotiators’ errors in the pre-negotiation phase. Review of literature and empirical research
Authors:   College of Economics, University of Economics in Katowice, Adamus-Matuszyńska Anna
Published: February 2021

Purpose – Heuristics and biases are simplifying strategies that people (in the analysed issue – negotiators) use in the decision-making process, even when they can take advantage of supporting tools (e.g. Negotiation Support System), which will allow them to make the optimal choice [Wachowicz, 2006]. Many empirical studies have found that decision makers use heuristics and are biased [Bateman, Zeithaml, 1989; Jackson, Dutton, 1988; Kahneman et al. 1982; Zajac, Bazerman, 1991]. Therefore, the question should be asked: are negotiators, like managers (whose decisions were examined), instead of consciously and intentionally using tools supporting decision-making during negotiations, subject to heuristics and cognitive errors? As a consequence of this general question one may ask the specific research questions: (1) What heuristics do the negotiators undergo? (2) How do heuristics influence the decision-making process? (3) How can the impact of heuristics and biases be minimized by taking advantage of negotiation support tools? Research methods – The article is a review of psychological, sociological and management sciences theories, concepts and empirical researches on heuristics and biases. The review was made according to the following categories: (a) theories that recognize the inevitability of heuristics in the decision-making process, (b) theories that attempt to identify opportunities to minimize or even reduce the impact of heuristics on decisions, and (c) those that offer alternative solutions. Results – The summary highlights those heuristics which might occur in the decision-making process in the pre-negotiation phase. Originality/value – There is no research exploring the role of specific heuristics and biases in particular stages of negotiations.
Dynamics and determinants of trade exchange between the European Union and India
Authors:   Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz, Bywalec Grzegorz
Published: February 2021

Purpose – This article attempts to identify and assess trade exchange between the European Union and India, including an indication of the main determinants of the process. Research method – Descriptive analysis based on numerical data from various statistical sources together with a review of specialist literature. Results – Trade exchange between the EU and India is particularly important for India. Exports to the EU account for around 17-20% of Indian exports in total. On the other hand, the EU’s share in Indian imports amounts to 10-12% of all imported goods. Trade with India looks different from the EU side. India’s share in both exports and imports presents a margin for EU trade in goods of 2-3%. The share of services in the trade between the EU and India is high. It accounts for 25-30% of mutual turnover. These are usually modern services based on the offshoring principles, such as IT, business, transport, consulting, science, and tourism. Among the European Union Member States, India’s main trading partners in goods are Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and Italy. These six countries account for ca. 85% of the EU-India trade exchange. In 2007, negotiations started to create an EU-India Free Trade Area. Due to the large differences in the positions of both parties, these discussions were not finalised and were subsequently suspended in 2013. However, after the reactivation of talks in 2016, there is still a possibility for the creation of an EU-India Free Trade Area of 1.8 billion people. Originality /value / implications /recommendations – At the beginning of the 21 st century, in terms of GDP (according to PPP), the European Union (understood as one economic entity) became the second largest economic power globally (after China), while India advanced to fourth position (after China, the EU and the USA). An analysis of trade exchange between these two economic powers allows for a clearer understanding of the modern global economy, as well as the processes and mechanisms of its functioning.
Impact of net working capital management strategy on financial results on the example of WIG-food companies
Authors:   Department of Organizations Development, Cracow University of Economics, Kubala Sebastian , Firlej Chrystian Bernard ,   Faculty of Agriculture and Economics, University of Agriculture in Krakow
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The main purpose of the work is to analyse the relationship between the net working capital management strategy and selected financial results of enterprises belonging to the WIG-food index. Research method – As part of the assessment, the financial data of 12 companies belonging to the WIG-food index for the period 2008-2018 were analysed. The dependent variables were the following measures: net profit/loss (NPL), current liquidity ratio (CLR), inventory turnover ratio (ITR), general debt ratio (GDR), return on sales (ROS). To achieve the objective of the research a one-way ANOVA variance was used. Results – The research results indicate that the net working capital management strategy adopted by the companies belonging to the WIG-Food index significantly affects the achieved financial results. Originality/value – The conducted research showed that the most common differences in shaping individual financial results occur between the use of aggressive (A) and conservative (C) strategy, aggressive (A) and moderately conservative (MC) strategy, conservative (C) and moderately aggressive (MA) strategy, as well as moderately aggressive (MA) and moderately conservative (MC) strategy.
The taxation of controlled foreign corporations’ income and its selected consequences
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Finance, Wroclaw University of Economics, Uchman Jacek
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The aim of this study is an evaluation of the possibility of maximising budget income due to the tax regulations concerning controlled foreign corporations. The objective is to gain an understanding of these regulations for shaping the profitability of the investments performed abroad. Research method – The study approach uses a method of analysis of financial consequences resulting from the regulations existing in this area and the simplified analysis of profitability allowing for the tax factor. In the study companies and corporate income tax were taken into consideration. Results – It has been proven that taxation without deferral influences the tax amount and the rate of return of a taxpayer being the shareholder of these corporations. The implication of certain mechanisms in foreign controlled corporations’ regulation has been estimated. A relatively small scale of the investments coming from Polish residents has been shown. The phenomenon may result in comparatively minor income coming from these regulations. Originality /value / implications /recommendations – The author has shown economic conditionings and the consequences of the analysed regulations. In Polish sources concerning this issue, legal challenges had previously dominated. In this study, the estimates of shaping profitability post taxation have been performed on the basis of the available data. The analysed mechanism is one of the several regulations concerning the regulation of the taxation of companies acting on an international scale. Due to their abundance, the remaining solutions have been used as the reference for the examined mechanism.
Macro determinants of the income underreporting by the self-employed
Authors:   Faculty of Economics Finance and Management, University of Szczecin, Adamczyk Adam
Published: February 2021

Purpose - The aim of the article is to indicate the macro factors shaping the phenomenon of concealing income by self-employed workers. Research method - This article uses the comparative analysis method together with an analysis of critical literature. The empirical element employs dependency analysis methods. Results - The conducted analyses indicate the lack of a relationship between the level of economic development of the state and the scale of the phenomenon of income concealment. Similarly, it has been demonstrated that there is no evidence of a correlation between the level of unemployment and the rate of self-employment and the scale of income concealment by self-employed people. The results of the conducted analyses allowed the identification of two paradoxes. The first consists in the existence of a negative relationship between the scale of income concealment and the size of the grey economy, while the second consists in the occurrence of a positive relationship between the friendliness of the tax system for entrepreneurs and the scale of lowering the tax base. Originality /value / implications /recommendations - The article supplements an existing research gap. The research undertaken thus far concerned the analysis of factors influencing the international diversity of the grey sphere size. However, no detailed analysis was carried out regarding the impact of macro factors on the shaping of the grey economy, including the lowering of incomes by self-employed workers. The original contribution of the article is also the study of the relationship between the size of the phenomenon of income understatement and the size of the grey economy.
The financing of health care in insurance systems and the sustainability of public finances
Authors:   Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszów, Rabiej Ewelina
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between the organisation of the state (determined by selected characteristics, i.e. the organisational structure model and the position of the SNG sector) and the organisation of the health care system, and an indication of the possible consequences for the sustainability of public finance. Research method – The author uses a method of descriptive analysis and the analysis of statistical data on health care expenditure in 12 EU Member States with an insurance model of health care. The quantitative analysis was based on the latest available statistical data (2017) from the OECD, the WHO and Eurostat databases (according to ICHA and SHA2011). Results – It was concluded that despite the legal separation and theoretical independence from the budget system, the insurance model of health care may pose a threat to the sustainability of public finance. This applies both to the state budget and the SNG sector, which is particularly vulnerable in countries where the decentralisation of public services is not accompanied by an appropriate design of the financing system. Originality /value / implications /recommendations – This paper discusses the problem of the compatibility of the health care system and state organisation, omitted in literature, including the position of the SNG sector, in the context of fiscal sustainability.
Multiannual expenditures in state budget and local government budgets in Poland
Authors:   Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Szczecin, Franek Sławomir
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The purpose of the article is to assess the significance of multiannual expenditures in the state and budgets of local government units in Poland. Research method – In order to achieve the objective, the methods of comparative analysis of budget expenditures extending beyond one financial year of the state and local government units were used. The research period covers the years 2014-2018. The source of data utilised for the analyses are reports relating to the performance of the state budget and information on the performance of the budgets of local government units, as well as databases on multiannual financial forecasts of local government units. The analysis used data on expenditure related to the implementation of multiannual programmes (in the state budget) and expenditure on undertakings shown in multiannual financial forecasts (in the budgets of local government units). The analysis also included the non-expiring expenditures. Therefore, it was possible to indicate the share of expenditures extending beyond one financial year in the budgets executed annually. Results – The research results indicate that despite the existence of solutions for long-term budget planning at the level of the state and local government units in Poland, the scale of implementation of multiannual expenditures in annual budgets remains relatively small. In addition, differences in the implementation of multiannual expenditures between specific categories of local government units were pointed out.
The importance of sustainable urban mobility in shaping the quality of life of the inhabitants of functional urban areas
Authors:   Faculty of Economics and Finance, University of Bialystok, Perło Dorota
Published: February 2021

Purpose – The aim of this article is to examine the impact of sustainable urban mobility on the quality of life of inhabitants of functional urban areas. A thesis has been posed about the important relationship between them. Research method – The article uses the method of soft modelling, which enables the study of the relationships between the hidden variables. Statistical data used in the empirical study concerns the Bialystok Functional Area. Results – As a result of the conducted research and analyses, key determinants of sustainable urban mobility and quality of life were determined, the most important threats related to environmental degradation were identified as well as innovative solutions for sustainable urban mobility that should be implemented in order to effectively manage resources and protect them for the future generations were found. Originality /value – Key research results can be useful in the process of developing Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans.
Behavioural switching during oscillations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration in free-swimming human sperm
Authors: Torrezan-Nitao Elis , Guidobaldi Héctor , Giojalas Laura , Barratt Christopher , Publicover Stephen
Published: February 2021

Lay summary

A human sperm must swim to the egg to fertilise it. To do this the sperm uses different types of swimming (behaviours) as they are needed. When we watch sperm swimming we see that they regularly change behaviour, sometimes repeatedly switching between two different types. Calcium ions inside cells are crucial in controlling many cell functions and in sperm they play a key role in regulating their behaviour. Here we have measured the concentration of calcium ions inside swimming human sperm. We found that in 12/35 (34%) of the cells we assessed, the concentration of calcium changed repeatedly, averaging more than one cycle of rise and fall per minute. These changes in the concentration of calcium ions occurred as the sperm switched swimming stroke, suggesting that oscillation of calcium concentration is involved in controlling the switching of sperm behaviour. Impaired sperm motility is an important cause of subfertility in men. Understanding how sperm behaviour is controlled will allow the development of treatments that can rescue the fertility of sperm with impaired motility.
Normas constitucionales y legales del control fiscal en el marco de la evaluación integral de las contralorías territoriales. El control fiscal
Authors: Jorge Andrés Torres Calderón , Mara Margarita Montes Arrieta
Published: February 2021

Desde antaño surge la necesidad de establecer controles estrictos que permitan custodiar y asegurar la correcta utilización de los recursos estatales por parte de los servidores públicos en procura del cumplimiento de fines comunes para todos los asociados y con ello el desarrollo efectivo de toda sociedad. En este sentido, para el caso colombiano, el Control Fiscal puede no sólo enaltecerse por haber hecho presencia desde sus más vetustos antecedentes históricos, sino también, por eri- girse como uno de los instrumentos más relevantes del Estado Social de Derecho en la consecución efectiva de las garantías mínimas para todos los habitantes; la renovación institucional y con ello el levantamiento de un muro de contención ante la corrupción endémica que permanecía impregnada en todos sus ámbitos.
El control fiscal y su ajuste dentro del Estado Social de Derecho
Authors: Jorge Andrés Torres Calderón , Mara Margarita Montes Arrieta
Published: February 2021

El autor, profesional del derecho, Master en Derecho Empresarial Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Docente de Derecho Internacional y Propiedad Intelectual Universidad de Boyacá, grosso modo, destaca que desde la constitución de 1991, el control fiscal debió adecuarse al nuevo modelo de Estado, esto es, Social de Derecho, lo cual, no solo permitió que se erigiera un marco normativo protector del erario público y castigador de toda aquella conducta que tuviese la vocación de afectarlo, sino también, instituyo un aspecto social en el cual se asumen compromisos éticos y morales a cargo de los administradores del gasto en cumplimiento de los fines públicos. Todo lo anterior, en procura de atacar la corrupción que somete los recursos del Estado. (p. 129).
Libro AVANCES Y RETOS DE LA GESTIÓN INTEGRAL 2020 Investigación en Sistemas de Gestión Avances y retos de la gestión integral
Authors: Yuber Liliana Rodríguez Rojas , Liliana Yamile Rodríguez González , Guillermo Peña Guarín
Published: February 2021

Las organizaciones, como sistemas sociales productivos, deben alcanzar sus resultados en entornos cada vez más amplios, inciertos y complejos. Por ello, acuden a los sistemas de gestión descritos en las normas técnicas internacionales, para apoyarse en prácticas aceptadas a escala mundial que les faciliten el acceso a un conocimiento probado y, con ello, contribuyan a mejorar su desempeño. En las últimas tres décadas, se ha incrementado la producción científica sobre los sistemas integrados de gestión, puesto que las entidades buscan una mejora continua al respecto, como parte de su respuesta a una economía globalizada. Por consiguiente, la academia propende por la generación de nuevo conocimiento en este campo, con el ánimo de encontrar métodos que favorezcan la integración de los sistemas de gestión.
Pedagogía de la violencia y resistencias de las mujeres: El cuerpo como territorio en disputa
Authors: Alpízar Guerrero Mariana
Published: February 2021

El presente artículo es una propuesta teórica y conceptual para comprender los mecanismos en que opera la violencia como pedagogía que, no sólo reprime sino también moldea los cuerpos y les enseña cómo ser. Además, presenta una sistematización de las resistencias macropolíticas y micropolíticas que han utilizado históricamente las mujeres para lograr su sobrevivencia y mantener su autonomía. La perspectiva desde la cual se analizan estos conceptos y desde la cual se hace la historización, así como la aplicación de la teoría a ejemplos de la vida cotidiana es feminista y parte de la idea de que donde existe violencia siempre ha existido también la resistencia, siendo esta última una herramienta indispensable que han usado las mujeres para apalabrar su dolor, asumir su capacidad de agenciamiento e ir recuperando su cuerpo que ha sido un territorio histórico en disputa.
Del enemigo político al enemigo en la necropolítica
Authors: Álvarez Garro Laura
Published: February 2021

Este artículo gira alrededor del concepto de enemigo, tomando como referente el trabajo de Carl Schmitt, en conjunción con aportes de Sigmund Freud y Jacques Lacan. El objetivo de este artículo es contrastar la propuesta de Schmitt con los aportes de Freud y Lacan, con la pretensión de solventar problemas de carácter teórico y práctico. Luego, se discute si la propuesta de Achille Mbembe sugiere una transformación en la idea de enemistad, o si es un agudizamiento de condiciones previas; analizando a profundidad si el enemigo en la necropolítica corresponde al planteamiento del enemigo absoluto en Schmitt. Finalmente, se examina cuáles son las condiciones políticas contemporáneas que han propiciado un aumento en los escenarios de necropoder.
La muerte simbólica y material de la ciudad: una aproximación sobre el urbanicidio
Authors: Delgadillo Polanco Víctor
Published: February 2021

Las imágenes de ciudades sin gente que recientemente hemos visto en muchas partes del mundo debido a la pandemia provocada por el COVID-19 no muestran algo totalmente nuevo, pues la muerte simbólica y material de la ciudad acecha desde hace tiempo. El presente artículo investiga, a partir de los aportes de diversos autores, ciencias y disciplinas sociales, sobre la muerte real y virtual de la ciudad, así como sobre la pérdida de los atributos que la definen como tal. Algunas de estas cualidades son: la concentración y diversidad de espacios que permiten el encuentro y las relaciones de vecindad; la proximidad, el convivio, la solidaridad y el conflicto entre personas y agentes diversos; la mezcla social y económica; la diversidad cultural; la mixtura de actividades (trabajar, consumir, residir) y usos del suelo; y la comunidad política de ciudadanos que gobiernan y deciden sobre los asuntos públicos. Este escrito revisalas diversas causas sociales, económicas y políticas que, con la consolidación del neoliberalismo como doctrina y sistema económico, han erosionado la ciudad como concepto, modo y lugar de la vida social.
Factores relacionados con la activación líquida de microorganismos de montaña (MM)
Authors: Castro Barquero Leida , González Acuña José
Published: February 2021

Introducción. Los microorganismos de montaña (MM) son un insumo fundamental para la producción orgánica/ecológica en Costa Rica. Su uso genera preguntas relacionadas con el procedimiento para las activaciones líquidas, que presenten las mayores poblaciones microbianas. Objetivo. Evaluar factores clave que afectan la calidad de la fase líquida de MM, tales como el tiempo de activación, aireación, presencia de nutrientes, entre otros. Materiales y métodos. Se evaluaron factores asociados con las activaciones líquidas, tiempo de activación, disponibilidad de aireación, dosis de MM sólido, dosis de melaza y la adición de nutrientes inorgánicos solubles (K) e insolubles (P). Se determinaron poblaciones de bacterias, hongos filamentosos, bacterias fijadoras de nitrógeno (FN), microorganismos solubilizadores de fósforo (SP), lactobacilos (Lac) y levaduras (Lev), así como pH y P en solución. Los datos se sometieron a la prueba de Shapiro-Wilks. Las variables que no presentaron normalidad fueron evaluadas según Kruskal Wallis y las normales con ANDEVA y LSD Fisher (p<0,05). Resultados y discusión. Las poblaciones cambiaron en el tiempo. El pH aumentó en el tiempo, mientras que los Lac y Lev disminuyeron. La disponibilidad de aireación redujo el tiempo de fermentación e incrementó las poblaciones, sin embargo, ocasionó un aumentó del pH en menor tiempo, por lo que los Lac y Lev disminuyeron mientras que las FN y SP incre- mentaron. La concentración más alta de melaza afectó negativamente la población de Lac, mientras que una reducción a la mitad en la cantidad de MM sólido, incrementó las poblaciones de SP y no afectó los otros grupos. La adición de una fuente orgánica de K aumentó las poblaciones, por tanto activados de MM reforzados pueden ser utilizados también como fuente de nutrientes. La adición de roca fosfórica no alteró las poblaciones, pero los datos sugieren que el fósforo solubilizado es retenido en la biomasa. Conclusión. Las condiciones de elaboración afectan la dinámica de las poblaciones microbianas presentes en las activaciones líquidas de MM.
Producción de hojarasca y su aporte de nutrientes en cacao bajo diferentes esquemas de fertilización, Rionegro-Santander
Authors: Rojas Molina Jairo , Ortiz Cabralez Leidy , Escobar Pachajoa Laura , Rojas Buitrago Mervin , Jaimes Suarez Yeirme
Published: February 2021

Introducción. El sistema productivo cacaotero contribuye con la sustentabilidad del manejo de suelos a través del reciclaje de nutrientes, junto con la producción de hojarasca. Objetivo. Estimar el aporte de biomasa y nutrientes en plantaciones de cacao bajo efectos de fertilización química y orgánica. Materiales y métodos. En el SAF con cacao-CCN-51 (Theobroma cacao L.) asociado a matarratón (Gliricia sepium L.) en Rionegro (Santander), se evaluó el efecto de 4 fuentes de fertilización sobre la producción de hojarasca (kg.ha-1 MS) y el aporte de nutrientes esenciales N, P, K, Ca, Mg (kg.ha-1). Se empleó un diseño de bloques completos al azar con 3 repeticiones, con los siguientes tratamien- tos: T1-Convencional, T2-Químico, T3-Ecocacao y T4-Orgánico+químico. La fertilización se realizó durante 3 años. El aporte de hojarasca y nutrientes se evaluó durante el último año (2012), mediante trampas colectoras muestreadas mensualmente y analizadas en 2 épocas del año: bajas precipitaciones (BP: enero-febrero) y altas precipitaciones (AP: julio-diciembre). El aporte de nutrientes se calculó mediante el contenido de N, P, K, Ca, Mg determinado en laboratorio a partir de la hojarasca recolectada. Resultados. Los mayores aportes de hojarasca se presentaron en época de altas precipitaciones para el T3-ecocacao y T2-químico con 567,2 y 541,33 kg.ha-1 MS, respectivamente. La variación estacional por época del año tuvo efecto significativo sobre el aporte de P, K, Ca y Mg presente en hojarasca de cacao. Se observó que en el 80% de los casos el mayor aporte de nutrientes fue en época de BP. El T3-ecocacao se destacó por su aporte de los nutrientes N, Ca y Mg (8,11-7,74 y 1,02 kg.ha-1. año-1, respectivamente). Conclusión. En Rionegro-Santander el mayor aporte de hojarasca lo realizó el T3-Ecocacao con 992,11 kg.ha-1.año-1 MS que representó un valor monetario (como equivalente en fertilizante comercial) superior al 70% con respecto a T1-convencional.
El espacio de las redacciones: Novelando en el periódico y reporteando en la novela de America Latina
Authors: Muñoz-Solano Néfer
Published: February 2021

Este artículo investiga las imbricaciones y porosidades entre la ficción y la no ficción en América Latina y analiza un proceso textual de doble vía en el que escritores que trabajaron en periódicos incluyeron estilos y características de la literatura en su quehacer periodístico al mismo tiempo que crearon obras de ficción basadas o influenciadas en su labor como reporteros. Este dialogismo discursivo, articulado en un espacio que aquí se denomina la «sala de narración», es un fenómeno con profundas raíces en la tradición literaria latinoamericana y ha producido textos con diferentes grados de hibridez que relativizan el argumento de quienes consideran que hay fronteras definitivas entre los discursos literarios y periodísticos de América Latina.
Women Health Right and Empowerment during Childbirth
Authors: Alshehri Norah A. , Sabr Yasser , AlAlshaikh Alanoud , Alshehri Khalid , Alqahtani Shahad , Alzamil Yara , Ghabban Mouaiad
Published: February 2021

Background: Women health right and empowerment during childbirth is an emerging important topic worldwide. Violation of women dignity, privacy, and confidentiality impact birth outcomes as consequence influencing both morbidity and mortality rate. This occurs as result to complex reasons that attributable to health services which include inadequate coverage of health care, lack of trained assistance, insufficient essential obstetric care and poor health referral system.

 

Objective: To explore women experience during childbirth in terms of health rights and the quality of care provided and to further study women attuited and experience with midwives and their future role in obstetric care.

 

Method: Based on informant report, a random snowballing sampling technique was carried out through using an anonymous online - based questionnaire. Participants in this study were (n=360) women. Ethical approval was obtained by the institutional review board at King Saud University (IRB No. E-18-32836).

 

Results: The majority of women reported their childbirth experience as unfavourable. According to our findings, women encounter various kinds of obstetric violence including denial of access to a health care, restriction of analgesia, violation of privacy and failure of obtaining an informed consent which found to be high as (91.0%), (53.0%) respectively.   

 

Conclusion: Optimal maternity care can be assured through appropriate access to medical resources and health care expertise with a higher priority committed to supporting midwife-led care during childbirth.
Effect of nitrogen fertiliser on the rate of lipid peroxidation of different maize hybrids in a long-term multifactorial experiment
Authors: Illés Á. , Bojtor Cs. , Széles A. , Mousavi S.M.N. , Tóth B. , Nagy J.
Published: February 2021

The presented research aimed to confirm that the differences in the lipid peroxidation of three maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with different genotypes and maturity are due to different nitrogen levels, which was observed based on the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) measured in the leaves at the main phenological stages of plants. The experiments were performed in a multi-factorial long term fertilisation field trial. In the study, phosphorus and potassium were constantly provided at the optimal level for the plants. The phosphorus and potassium fertilisation were applied in autumn. However, N levels varied from 0 to 300 kg ha−1. Sampling was done at different growth stages 5 times during the growing season (4 leaves, 6 leaves, 8 leaves, 14 leaves, silking). The 300 kg ha−1 N (dose 3) resulted in a significant increase in lipid peroxidation (MDA level), but not a statistically significant difference between the control (dose 1) and the 120 kg ha−1 (dose 2) N doses. The H1 hybrid had the lowest level of lipid peroxidation at the first sampling date. High volume nitrogen fertilisation (dose 3: 300 kg ha−1) increased lipid peroxidation in the hybrids. Averaging the values obtained for the same hybrid at the different sampling times, the medium (dose 2) 120 kg ha−1 N treatment had no significant effect on the lipid peroxidation of the hybrids compared to the values of the control plants. Based on the lipid peroxidation response of the hybrids to N treatment, the exact N dose inflection point can be determined to make the fertiliser utilisation of plants more efficient. Based on our results, we found that inadequate, low (120 kg ha−1) or high (300 kg ha−1) nitrogen fertilisation could affect the MDA levels of plants, thereby affecting the functioning of the lipid peroxidation mechanism.