bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical Marketing Research – Barriers to Conducting it and its Importance
Authors: Kamiński Jacek
Published: April 2021

Subject and purpose of work: The article is devoted to historical marketing research. Its purpose is to identify barriers to conducting historical marketing research and to characterize the significance of this type of research.

Materials and methods: The observations contained in the article were formulated on the basis of a review, analysis, synthesis and critical evaluation of the literature in the field of marketing.

Results: The article highlights the ahistorical attitude of marketing discipline also with reference to research in the area of marketing. Barriers to conducting this type of research were discussed and the significance of historical research was pointed out.. The barriers were characterized based on the properties of historical research as well as the features of practice and marketing theory. The problem is discussed from the point of view of marketing practice, marketing theory, the status of marketing as a science, the role of historical research as a critical approach in the science of marketing, and historical analysis of phenomena as a social perspective. The significance of historical marketing research for teaching marketing issues is underlined.

Conclusions: The main conclusion of the analysis is that historical research on marketing plays a particularly significant role, despite the fact that it is found on the margins of currently undertaken issues and does not belong to the mainstream marketing. As a result, it is rarely discussed in marketing textbooks.
Public transport accessibility to upper secondary schools measured by the potential quotient: The case of Kraków
Authors: Rosik Piotr , Puławska-Obiedowska Sabina , Goliszek Sławomir
Published: April 2021

The spatial differences in public transport accessibility to upper secondary schools are examined in this article, using the potential accessibility model, and based on the example of the city of Kraków. In order to achieve this goal, the potential quotient index has been used, taking into account both the demand for educational services operationalised with the population aged 15–19, and the supply of services depicted by the supply of places for pupils in different types of upper secondary school. A supplementary objective is to present recommendations for transport and educational policy implemented in the city in the context of potential locations of new upper secondary schools based on, among other parameters, the mean centre of the potential accessibility distribution and the potential accessibility dispersion index. We conclude that to better balance access to different types of schools throughout the city in the future, a new location for a general upper secondary school could be considered in the southern or eastern parts of Kraków.
Influence of barley, corn and rice flour on physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of gluten-free bread
Authors: Wazed Md. Abdul , Islam Md. Rakibul
Published: April 2021

People suffering from the celiac disease have to apply a strict gluten-free diet because this is the only effective management. Nowadays, the increasing incidence of celiac disease promotes worldwide interests for various desirable gluten free products. As a consequence, food processing researchers have been seeking to develop high-quality gluten-free bread. Cereals having gluten such as wheat must be removed from the diet for the clinical and histological improvement. So, the purpose of this study was to determine the physical, chemical and sensory properties of gluten-free bread produced with barley (T1), corn (T2) and rice (T3) flours instead of wheat flour, using the 1.5 % xanthan gum. The chemical and sensory attributes of bread were evaluated by AOAC method and hedonic test, respectively. Obtained results showed that sample T3 had the highest contents of crude protein (7.94%), ash (2.51%) and carbohydrate (78.31%) as compared to other samples, while fat was lower (2.01%). Regarding moisture, breads prepared with the three different flours were not statistically different at the significance level of p<0.05. However, they differed significantly regarding the specific volume and bake loss. Data also revealed that gluten-free bread, treatment T3 presented the best parameters, being preferred by the sensory evaluation panel, followed by treatment T1 and T2. The overall assessment pointed that the resulting breads treatment T3 was best for all physico-chemical characteristics and, in general, resulted in good sensory behavior, indicating that it could be a promising alternative to wheat flour.
The impact of educated migrants and R&D expenditures on innovation
Authors: Sinoi Elena-Alexandra
Published: April 2021

Migration has become a topic of great interest of the 21st century, as it triggers multiple advantages and downsides, both for the people and communities implicated, depending on the policies in place. International migration should not be perceived as an issue that needs to be solved, but rather a global phenomenon that can reduce poverty and foster inclusive growth and sustainable development, both in origin and destination countries. The most highly-skilled immigrants represent a key factor in enhancing innovation and technological change processes, which are essential aspects of social and economic development. The purpose of the study is to analyse the impact of highly educated immigrants (with tertiary-educated immigrant employees and foreign PhD students) together with R&D investments on innovative activity (proxied by the number of patents applications), in the case of the ten countries which joined the EU in 2004. The evaluated time frame is from 2011 to 2017. For the econometric analysis of the panel data, we developed fixed-effects linear regression models, at the country-level. The indicators computed are relevant to the innovative activity. The econometric estimations highlight a positive correlation between educated migrants and the number of patent applications in all ten countries. This nexus is even strengthened when we take into consideration other relevant impact factors, such as investments in R&D and human capital. Therefore, the more efforts and investments are devoted to R&D and highly educated individuals, the more predictable the innovation is.
Determinants of Dividend Policy: A Case of Serbia’s Banking Sector
Authors: Jovković Biljana , Vasić Aleksandra S. , Bogićević Jasmina
Published: April 2021

Dividend policy is one of the most controversial areas of corporate finance. The paper presents the results of the research in the banking sector of the Republic of Serbia. The specific characteristics of the financial sector make the research on dividend policy determinants additionally complex. This study aims to determine the factors of dividend policy in the Serbian banking sector in the period 2009–2018. The model of random effects was chosen to test the relationship between dividend determinants and dividend payout. Empirical results show that previous years’ dividends have a significant positive effect on dividend policy. Individual investors can benefit from the research to a great extent, as well as bank managers, when creating dividend policies that would contribute to maximising profit and satisfying the needs of employees and shareholders in the long run.
Les plaies de la Grande Guerre dans la Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung, un imaginaire de papier sous la République de Weimar
Authors: Zunino Bérénice
Published: April 2021

Après l’armistice, la Première Guerre mondiale continue à être traitée dans la revue illustrée d’actualité générale, politique et culturelle qu’est la Berliner Illustrirte Zeitung (BIZ). Sur la trace de cette médiatisation de la guerre, nous interrogeons ce que ces représentations « disent » des attentes, des peurs et des espoirs des contemporains progressistes de Weimar. Il ressort qu’après avoir diffusé une certaine bienveillance à l’égard des anciens ennemis début 1919, la BIZ s’aigrit à la suite de l’officialisation des conditions de paix. Sans doute ces espoirs déçus ont-ils compliqué la démobilisation culturelle de la BIZ, qui continue un temps à se faire le relais du discours de guerre, puis tente par l’expression artistique, tout au long des années 1920, de panser les plaies du deuil. Finalement, la BIZ ne cherche pas tant à entretenir la mémoire de la guerre qu’à promouvoir un discours pacifiste et républicain.
Queer/Race Geographies: Community and the Politics of Difference
Authors: Wong Emily
Published: April 2021

Oppression is a concept which has been extensively examined in feminist and anti-racist geographies. Many people are engaging with anti-oppressive activism and politics, and are getting involved in challenging systems of domination. However, as resistance is also influenced and produced through systems of oppression, those who practice anti-oppressive politics are still under the influence of those systems. This research project explores the nature of how oppression may be replicated within communities which claim to be anti-oppressive.

For many queer people of colour, locations where community is found also become locations of exclusion. Using the framework of the politics of difference, the construction of community is examined in relationship to difference on the grounds of race and gender/sexual identity, in addition to how social positionality is negotiated and experienced. Constructions of community involve the act of drawing borders, defining proximities, and creating distance between people; it is a necessarily geographical concept. The experiences of people who are both queer and racialized are explored through the use of qualitative interviews, providing insight into how patterns of oppression play out and how processes of human differentiation take place. Demarcating a “community” necessarily involves processes of inclusion and exclusion; that is, who constitutes the community, and who is placed outside of it. For many queer people of colour, locations where community is found also become locations of exclusion.
The Effects of Predicted Soil Moisture and Temperature Increase on CO2 Exchange within a High Arctic Ecosystem
Authors: Jackson Sarah
Published: April 2021

With 2014 being the warmest year on record and 10 of the warmest years occurring after 1997, it is essential to understand the effects of this warming on CO2 exchange. It was also discovered that much of this warming is focused in the Arctic regions, which are sensitive to changes in temperature (Cole & McCarthy, 2015). My research examines the effects of enhanced snowfall and soil temperature on the exchange of CO2 between the land and the atmosphere in a high arctic environment. The research is taking place at Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory (CBAWO) on Melville Island, Nunavut as part of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX). The goal of ITEX is to better understand the effects of increased summer temperature and increased snowfall on arctic ecosystems. This is a full factorial experiment including treatments varying precipitation (and likely soil moisture), soil temperature, moisture and temperature together, and a control that is at ambient soil moisture and temperature. Snow fences are used to enhance precipitation, while open-topped transparent chambers are used to increase soil temperature. In a companion lab experiment, I look at the effects of different soil moisture levels and temperatures on soil CO2 production in a more controlled environment. Two temperatures, two moisture levels, and eight replicates of each will be established in sealed incubation chambers, and soils will be incubated for 33 days. Presently a significant relationship has been found between soil moisture and CO2 flux within the field experiment.
The Strength of Steel: Nationality and Power within Trinidad Carnival Music
Authors: Palleschi Aisling
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses how steelband music within Trinidad carnival simultaneously enhances and confuses feelings of national identity. In my current research exploring politics and power in Caribbean carnival music, steel pan has proven to be a strong case study, providing compelling illustrations of the issues surrounding ethnicity, social and economic class structures, politics, and nationalism. The music of steel pan began as a lower-class, ‘grass-roots’, “vulgar, underclass pastime” (Dudley 2007: 3). To the elite citizens, steelband music threatened the social hierarchy and because the laws that society attempted to regulate banning the steel music dissolved, they believed the music would break down the class structures they tried hard to solidify. As it evolved, however, steelband music became gentrified, cleaned up by the elite classes of Trinidad. Through this evolution it can be interpreted that since the upper-class  

citizens could not rid Trinidad of steel pan, they therefore attempted to ‘improve’ the image of steel so it could be accepted into society. Steelband has progressed since then to become a national and political instrument, used now to both affirm a political agenda and compete with it. By exploring an art form defined as a national instrument by Trinidad I show that a comprehensive study of how the development of the music can give insight into the problems and benefits of nationalism, identity, and tradition.

Works Cited

Dudley, Shannon. 2007. Music from behind the Bridge: Steelband Aesthetics and Politics in Trinidad and Tobago. USA: Oxford University Press.
El derecho a la ciudad sostenible
Authors: Zamorano Wisnes José
Published: April 2021

El artículo tiene por objeto el estudio de las actuaciones en el medio urbano, en la ciudad, como quiera que cualquier intervención en la ciudad afecta a esta globalmente, se reflexiona sobre el derecho a la ciudad, como un derecho ciudadano de participar en la toma de decisiones sobre su futuro, para alcanzar un orden de cosas más justo. Encadenado a lo anterior, el desarrollo sostenible, por ello de forma consecutiva, se estudia la incorporación a nuestro derecho de la noción de desarrollo sostenible, lo que supone un impulso a las actuaciones en el medio urbano, centradas en la ciudad existente, en su rehabilitación, regeneración y reforma, más que en hacer nueva ciudad. En este sentido, la incorporación del desarrollo sostenible ha supuesto un giro copernicano en relación con las políticas sobre el suelo, dejando de ser un instrumento, para ser, lo que siempre debió ser, un recurso natural de primera magnitud.Las actuaciones en el medio urbano, como acaba de decirse, contemplan las de rehabilitación y las de regeneración y renovación. Por lo que el trabajo se centra en el estudio, en primer lugar, en el conocimiento de las llamadas actuaciones en el medio urbano, a través de las cuales es posible la innovación del planeamiento urbanístico y la ocupación de espacios libres o comunes para mejorar la accesibilidad de las viviendas, entre otras. El régimen jurídico de las mismas, en relación con éste el TRLSRU ha sido poco original, en tanto que la regulación de la participación y ejecución de las actuaciones recuerda sobremanera el sistema de compensación de la legislación urbanística, para finalizar estudiando las actuaciones de rehabilitación urbana y los derechos, vinculados a las anteriores operaciones, de realojo y retorno.
Contratos «open-house»: comprar sin licitar
Authors: Díez Sastre Silvia
Published: April 2021

En Alemania es habitual que se celebren contratos «open-house» para adquirir productos farmacéuticos. Estos contratos se celebran sin una licitación previa. Todos los operadores económicos que cumplen los requisitos fijados por el poder adjudicador celebran un contrato idéntico. El ente contratante no elige a un operador jurídico frente a otro ni puede limitar el número de participantes. Por su parte, los proveedores interesados no presentan oferta, solo demuestran que están en condiciones de satisfacer la necesidad anunciada. La comunidad jurídica alemana ha debatido durante años si esta forma de proceder vulnera las normas de contratación pública. La discusión se ha zanjado por el TJUE, que ha confirmado la exclusión del ámbito de aplicación de las Directivas de contratación pública de aquellos casos en los que no existe una decisión de selección por parte del poder adjudicador. En este contexto, el presente trabajo expone el contexto de surgimiento de los contratos «open-house» en el Derecho alemán y su tratamiento en el Derecho europeo. A continuación, propone un concepto de «open-house» al que se anuda un régimen jurídico determinado, especialmente en clave procedimental. Por último, reflexiona sobre el encaje de esta figura en el Derecho español.
Qué se puede y qué no se puede colgar en un balcón consistorial
Authors: Martínez Otero Juan María
Published: April 2021

El presente artículo estudia qué se puede y qué no se puede legítimamente exhibir en los edificios públicos, prestando una particular atención al contexto local, donde se han suscitado los debates jurídicos más acalorados en los últimos años. La primera parte del artículo analiza el alcance del deber de neutralidad de las administraciones públicas. La segunda parte propone tres criterios para responder a la cuestión planteada: el objeto que se exhibe, el mensaje que transmite y el tiempo de exhibición. El artículo se cierra saliendo al paso de la llamada «excusa democrática» empleada como patente de corso para exhibir cualquier mensaje en los espacios públicos.
The Psychosocial Condition of Syrian Children Facing a Precarious Future
Authors: Shuayb Maha , Ahmad Nader
Published: April 2021

This study investigates the psychosocial conditions of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese children in Lebanese public schools. A survey was conducted with Syrian and Lebanese children and their parents. Interviews with public school staff were also carried out. The study found that poverty and war play equal roles in affecting children’s emotional well-being as Syrian and Lebanese children manifest similar levels of anxiety and hyperactivity. While the past presents significant stressors, present and future stressors were also identified amongst refugees. This article critiques the prime emphasis of psychosocial intervention paradigms on past trauma, which risks overlooking present and future stressors. It argues that the psychosocial conditions of refugees are interpreted in isolation from refugees’ poverty, subordinated social status, and the local injustices to which they are subject.
'Small Gold Mine of Talent': Integrating Prague Spring Refugee Professionals in Canada, 1968-1969
Authors: Raska Jan
Published: April 2021

Following the August 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, 11,200 Prague Spring refugees were resettled in Canada. This movement included many experienced professionals and skilled tradespeople. This article examines how these refugees navigated language training and barriers to employment, including professional accreditation, and examines how this experience shaped bureaucratic and public views of refugee integration. The focus of this article is primarily on resettlement and integration efforts in Ontario, since roughly half of the Prague Spring refugees were permanently resettled in the province. The article outlines how, as part of its efforts to help the refu- gees with their economic and social integration, Canadian officials provided assisted passage, initial accommodations, help with securing Canadian employment, and English- or French-language training. Prague Spring refugees navigated professional obstacles, including securing accreditation of their foreign credentials and underemployment in their respective fields. Their successful resettlement and integration depended on intergovernmental cooperation between Canada and its provinces, and the assistance provided by local Czech and Slovak communities across the country.
Implementasi Forward Chaining dan Certainty Factor pada Aplikasi Konsultasi Kecantikan
Authors: Sari Bunga Ratna , Rudiarto Sabar
Published: April 2021

Having skin that is free from problems is a dream for most women, especially in Indonesia. However, the problem is not all women are aware that in carrying out treatment or using a product, it must match the needs of each skin type. The rise of beauty salons that operate but are not under the auspices of specialist doctors and also cheap beauty products that are claimed to solve skin problems in an instant makes women easily tempted. This of course can have a big negative impact when the maintenance procedures performed are not up to standard, and there are dangerous ingredients in the products used. For this reason, consulting with a specialist or the expert is indispensable. Researchers used the forward chaining method and certainty factors in building this system which is expected to be used in determining facial skin problems and their solutions based on case studies at the XYZ beauty clinic. The Forward Chaining method is used to draw conclusions based on the facts entered. While certainty factor is used to calculate the trust value from the existing conclusions. This method requires 2 main values ​​in performing calculations, namely MB (measurement of belief) and MD (measurement of disbelief). Based on the research that has been done, the system was successfully built and gave an accuracy value of 97.35%.
IMPROVEMENT OF DEVICES FOR EARLY DIAGNOSTICS OF THE OPTICAL FIBERS STATE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Authors:   Omsk State Technical University, Omsk, Russia, Bogachkov I. V. , Gorlov N. I. ,   Siberian State University of Telecommunications and Computer Science, Novosibirsk, Russia
Published: April 2021

В работе обсуждаются вопросы построения схем бриллюэновских рефлектометров, рассмотрены алгоритмы обработки результатов измерений. Представленные в исследовании результаты позволяют улучшить алгоритмы обработки бриллюэновских рефлектограмм за счёт введения опорных каналов и опорной базы данных. Приведённые схемы бриллюэновских рефлектометров представляют интерес для совершенствования систем мониторинга оптических волокон.
METHODS OF SYNCHRONIZATION IN A MAGNETOSTRICTIONAL LEVEL METER
Authors:   Surgut State University KMAO-Ugra, Surgut, Russia, Dyomko A. I. , Semenov O. Yu. ,   Surgut State University KMAO-Ugra, Surgut, Russia
Published: April 2021

Для измерения уровня нефтепродуктов широко используются магнитострикционные уровнемеры, что определяет актуальность изучения и усовершенствования подобных устройств. Целью статьи является рассмотрение различных вариантов передачи данных от модуля сенсоров до вычислительного устройства магнитострикционного уровнемера. В статье рассмотрены асинхронные и синхронные режимы формирования магнитострикционных сигналов в звукопроводе уровнемера. Для синхронных режимов рассматривается два варианта кодирования передаваемых данных. Представленные результаты могут быть использованы в уровнеметрии.
Unusual Male Breast Lesions
Authors: AlSharif Shaza , Alshamrani Khalid Misfer , Scaranelo Anabel , Khoumais Nuha , Subahi Ahmad , Mesurolle Benoit
Published: April 2021

Most of male breast masses are benign with gynecomastia being the most common entity encountered. Primary male breast cancer accounts for less than 1% of the total number of breast cancer. Male breast can be affected by a variety of conditions affecting the female breast with less frequency due to the lack of hormonal influence and consequent glandular sub-development. Imaging features of male breast masses are quite similar to the female breast. Therefore, using the knowledge of the female breast and applying it may help in the diagnosis and management of male breast abnormalities. In this article, we aim to review a variety of unusual male breast masses. We discuss the demographics of male breast tumors, describe the diagnostic algorithm for evaluating male breast masses, and review the imaging features of rare breast masses and mimickers of male breast cancer.
Rituximab in pemphigus vulgaris - Standard operating procedure
Authors: Ajithkumar Kidangazhiathmana , Johny Sneha , Salim Pinky , Asokan Neelakandhan
Published: April 2021

Treatment of pemphigus poses a significant challenge in dermatology practice. Rituximab has recently been accepted as a first-line drug for pemphigus. This article tries to propose a standard operating procedure for the administration of rituximab.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty for symptomatic osteoporotic compression fractures: A single–center prospective study
Authors: Ahsan Md. Kamrul , Pandit Om Prakash , Khan Md. Shahidul Islam
Published: April 2021

Background:

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) increasingly occur with advancing age, and are associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. We assessed the clinical efficacy, radiological, and functional outcomes for patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) due to OVCFs, with a special focus on the frequency of new vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).

Methods:

This study, carried from 2018 to 2020, included 22 females and 4 males. They averaged 60.15 years of age (range, 50–70) were followed an average of 14.5 months (range 12–36 months), and had 30 VCFs between the T7–L2 levels. Multiple variables were studied, including; anterior vertebral height (AVH) and kyphotic angle (KA), new VCFs, and functional outcomes.

Results:

The postoperative Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index were significantly reduced at 12 months after PVP. Improvements for AVH and KA were also statistically significant; 23 patients (88.46%) had a dramatic decrease in pain on post-operative day 1, while 3 patients (11.53%) had no decrease in pain after PVP on post-operative day 1–1 postoperative month. No major complications were observed except high incidence of cement leakage at 8 levels (26.67%) in 6 patients. Additionally, new VCFs occurred in 10 vertebrae in 8 patients (30.76%), involving 6 adjacent (60%), and 4 nonadjacent vertebrae (40%).

Conclusion:

PVP is an effective procedure in the management of painful OVCFs refractory to medical treatment. These PVP procedures yield immediate vertebral stabilization, relieve pain, and restore function with minimal associated morbidity.
Societal return on investment may greatly exceed financial return on investment in neurotechnology-based therapies: A case study in epilepsy therapy development
Authors: DiLorenzo Daniel John
Published: April 2021

Background:

This research study is an economic analysis of a neurotechnology-based translational research and development venture focused on the development of a therapy for patients with epilepsy. In the conceptualization, planning, financing, and execution of neurotechnology ventures, many factors come into play in determining value and ability to secure financing at each stage of the venture. Conventionally, these have included factors that determine the return on investment for the stakeholders of the venture, most notably the investors and the team members, the former investing hard earned capital, and the latter investing significant portions of their professional careers. For a variety of reasons, the positive impact on society is often not quantified and taken into consideration.

Methods:

To address this, a new term is defined and assessed at a first approximation level using an index technology. The metric is termed the societal return on investment (sROI).

Results:

Among chronic conditions, neurological disease is virtually unique in the magnitude of economic devastation that it can inflict on a person and a family. Because the device costs do not reflect this value that is lost and subject to restoration, these are missing from this important calculation. The index project is the development of a seizure advisory system, which cost $71.2 million to develop and conduct a First-In-Man (FIM) study (NCT01043406) and which was estimated to require $50 million to complete a pivotal study.

Conclusion:

Despite the immense costs required to develop, test, and commercialize such a system, the direct and indirect economic costs imposed by uncontrolled seizures are sufficiently staggering that a sROI becomes positive after only 400 patients have been successfully treated and returned to work.
Intracranial pressure waveform changes in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Ribeiro Estela Barbosa , Cobos Luiza D’Ottaviano , Rabelo Nicollas Nunes , Frigeri Gustavo , Vale Francisco Assis Carvalho
Published: April 2021

Background:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to cause an enormous impairment to the quality of life and impact in the health system; meanwhile, studies show that in the coming years, the number of affected individuals will continue to grow. It is also believed that amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could represent an early symptomatic form of AD, which precedes dementia.

Methods:

The present study aimed to evaluate the intracranial pressure (ICP) through a noninvasive method in patients with AD and MCI, seeking for differences when compared to healthy elderlies. This is a cross-sectional, correlational, and observational study of a quantitative character, carried out in a Brazilian city, with patients from the ANEC of the UFSCar.

Results:

It was found a statistically significant difference between the ICP morphology when analyzing the results in patients with AD and MCI, compared to healthy volunteers. It is known that dementias means a progressive disorder that leads to the loss of independency and function of the patient, although, it is believed that it can be found early ICP alterations in these patients. Nevertheless, considering this is an unprecedent study, it was not possible to compare results with previous studies and literatures. However, the study has a limitation related to the sample size; an expansion of it could possibility lead to different findings.

Conclusion:

The findings through the ICP measurement could indicate an early diagnosis, which would lead to an early treatment and an improvement in the quality of life of patients with AD. Thus, further investigation and widening studies are encouraged.
Cryptococcal meningitis presenting as anterior spinal cord syndrome with accessory nerve palsy in immunocompetent patient: A case report
Authors: Cuellar-Hernandez J Javier , Seañez Carlos , Olivas-Campos Ramon , Chavez Rodrigo , Tabera-Tarello Paulo M. , Serna-Roman B. Manuel
Published: April 2021

Background:

Cryptococcus has a tropism for the nervous system with a higher prevalence of infection in immunosuppressed patients; it remains a major cause of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related mortality worldwide. Neurological compromise caused by this microorganism mainly debuts as a meningeal syndrome, spinal involvement has been reported in literature, neuropathological assessments have found Cryptococci in spinal roots and meninges, with perineuritic adhesions probably explaining compromise lower cranial nerves and even spinal nerve roots.

Case Description:

39-year-old male seronegative for HIV, with a surgical history of hydrocephalus treated with ventriculoperitoneal shut 1 year before, he presented with progressive weakness in the four extremities evolving to be disabling with bilateral accessory nerve palsy and loss of sensation below his neck. The MR imaging showed diffuse leptomeningeal thickening both supra and infratentorial and over the spinal canal up to C5 with a cystic formation shown in the craniocervical union causing compression of the medullary bulb. The patient underwent a medial suboccipital craniectomy with resection of the posterior arch of c1 for sampling and decompression, pathologically appears numerous spherical organisms that have a thick clear capsule and are surrounded by histiocytes forming a granuloma compatible with Cryptococcus. Postoperatively, the patient’s prior neurological deficits resolved.

Conclusion:

It is an infrequently suspected pathology in immunocompetent patients, usually requiring only antifungal treatment with adjustment of immunosuppressive or antiretroviral management. In special and rare situations like our case as presenting with lower cranial nerve and spinal involvement, surgical treatment is a priority for the resolution of the pathology and improves disabling neurological deficit.
IMPLEMENTASI STRATEGI DALAM PENANGANAN PEMBIAYAAN MURABAHAH BERMASALAH PADA KSPPS AL-MUBAROK SIDOARJO
Authors: Dinda Kartika  , Oktafia Renny
Published: April 2021

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui implementasi strategi yang dilakukan KSPPS Al-Mubarok dalam menangani pembiayaan murabahah bermasalah akibat penurunan pertumbuhan ekonomi nasional yang disebabkan oleh pandemi covid-19. Keadaan ekonomi Indonesia yang menurun pada triwulan pertama tahun 2020 sebesar 2,97% merupakan faktor eksternal yang menyebabkan pembiayaan dapat bermasalah. Penghasilan para pelaku UMKM di Indonesia yang menurun membuat kegiatan pembiayaan disuatu lembaga sosial yang membiayainya ikut terganggu, karna umumnya UMKM mendapatkan pinjaman dana usaha dari lembaga keuangan mikro seperti koperasi syariah melalui beberapa jenis pembiayaan seperti murabahah, mudharabah, dan musyarakah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi yang dilakukan KSPPS Al-Mubarok terbukti mampu mengatasi permasalahan pembiayaan murabahah yang terjadi dan berdampak baik terhadap tanggung jawab nasabah dalam memenuhi kewajibannya. Peneliti menggunakan metode pendekatan studi kasus untuk bisa mengamati sepenuhnya permasalahan yang terjadi dan pemecahan masalah (problem solved) yang dilakukan oleh koperasi.
Zarządzenie polityczne przepływami migracyjnymi w Europie
Authors: Gaffric Joanna
Published: April 2021

Dynamiczna mobilność XXI wieku staje się wyzwaniem dla procesów zarządzania politycznego przepływami migracyjnymi w Europie. Związek zachodzących zjawisk, podejmowanych decyzji, efektywności zarządzania, jak i sposoby ich postrzegania w opinii społecznej stały się kluczowym punktem próby zrozumienia zachodzącego fenomenu – migracji, które są nieodłącznym elementem człowieczej egzystencji. Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie różnorodnych form politycznego zarządzania przepływami migracyjnymi w Europie oraz ewaluacji efektywności zarządzania tymi politykami w oparciu o ogólną analizę zachodzących zjawisk i na podstawie opinii społecznej.
Wyzwania Sustainable Development Goals realizowane przez sektor budowlany
Authors: Wojtas Magdalena
Published: April 2021

Obserwujemy coraz większą świadomość dotyczącą zmian klimatycznych i potrzeby budowania w zrównoważony sposób. Niezwykle istotne jest zachowanie najwyższych standardów oraz norm dotyczących zarówno budowania, funkcjonowania, jak i późniejszej rozbiórki inwestycji, która zamyka cykl życia budynku. Całościowe podejście sprzyja wdrażaniu zasad gospodarki o obiegu zamkniętym, a także niwelowaniu śladu węglowego. Dlatego właśnie środowisko budowlane jest kluczowym celem polityki Komisji Europejskiej w zakresie gospodarki obiegowej: odnawialnego systemu gospodarczego, w którym zużycie zasobów i energii jest ograniczone do minimum. Nie mamy innego kierunku rozwoju niż ten, by dążyć do budynków o zerowym śladzie węglowym. Porozumienie paryskie z 2015 roku stawia tę kwestię jasno: do 2050 roku konieczne jest zdekarbonizowanie światowej gospodarki, a budownictwo jest jednym z jej filarów. Sustainable Development Goals warto traktować więc jak przewodnik po skonkretyzowanych, nazwanych wyzwaniach w obszarze poprawy stanu środowiska i warunków życia człowieka.
Jonathan D. Rosen, Hanna S. Kassab, Narkotyki, gangi i przemoc, Palgrave Macmillan, Cham 2019, ISBN 978-3-319-94451-7, ss. 160
Authors: Pietrasik Kamil
Published: April 2021

Artykuł jest recenzją książki:  Jonathana D. Rosena, Hanny S. Kassab, "Narkotyki, gangi i przemoc".
Atlas de Distribución y Abundancia de Mamíferos Marinos en México
Authors:   CICESE, Heckel Gisel , Ruiz Mar M.G. , Schramm Y. , Gorter U.
Published: April 2021

Los mamíferos marinos son un grupo de megafauna carismática, es decir, que son capaces de despertar fascinación entre la mayoría de las personas. Esta característica intrínseca los hace especialmente visibles cuando se quiere hacer uso de los ecosistemas o recursos naturales, como es el caso de la generación de energía proveniente del océano. En el mundo, existen 131 especies de mamíferos marinos, entre ballenas, delfines, lobos marinos, focas, la morsa, nutrias marinas, el oso polar, manatíes y dugongos. En México, que es un país megadiverso, contamos con la presencia de 38 especies de cetáceos (8 misticetos o ballenas, 30 odontocetos o delfines y especies similares), 4 de pinnípedos (2 focas y 2 lobos), una nutria y un manatí
Phospholipids dock SARS-CoV-2 spike protein via hydrophobic interactions: a minimal in-silico study of lecithin nasal spray therapy
Authors: Qaisrani Muhammad Nawaz , Rehman Jawad Ur , Belousov Roman , Goliaei Elham Moharramzadeh , Girotto Ivan , Franklin Ricardo , Güell Oriol , Hassanali Ali , Roldan Edgar
Published: April 2021

Understanding the physical and chemical properties of viral infections at molecular scales is a major challenge for the scientific community more so with the outbreak of global pandemics. There is currently a lot of effort being placed in identifying molecules that could act as putative drugs or blockers of viral molecules. In this work, we computationally explore the importance in antiviral activity of a less studied class of molecules, namely surfactants. We employ all-atoms molecular dynamics simulations to study the interaction between the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the phospholipid lecithin (POPC), in water. Our microsecond simulations show a preferential binding of lecithin to the receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 with binding energies significantly larger than kBT. Furthermore, hydrophobic interactions in- volving lecithin non-polar tails dominate these binding events, which are also accompanied by dewetting of the receptor binding motif. Through an analysis of fluctuations in the radius of gyra- tion of the receptor-binding domains, its contact maps with lecithin molecules, and distributions of water molecules near the binding region, we elucidate molecular interactions that may play an important role in interactions involving surfactant-type molecules and viruses. We discuss our minimal computational model in the context of lecithin-based liposomal nasal sprays as putative mitigating therapies for COVID-19.
Thermodynamics and Kinetics in Antibody Resistance of the 501Y.V2 SARS-CoV-2 Variant
Authors: Ngo Son Tung , Nguyen Trung Hai , Pham Duc-Hung , Tung Nguyen Thanh , Nam Pham Cam
Published: April 2021

Understanding thermodynamics and kinetics of the binding process of antibody to SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Spike protein is very important for the development of COVID19 vaccines. Especially, it is essential to understand how the binding mechanism may change under the effects of RBD mutations. In this context, we have demonstrated that the South African variant (B1.351 or 501Y.V2) can resist the neutralizing antibody (NAb). Three substitutions in RBD including K417N, E484K, and N501Y alters the free energy landscape, binding pose, binding free energy, binding kinetics, and unbinding pathway of RBD + NAb complexes. The low binding affinity of NAb to 501Y.V2 RBD confirms the antibody resistance of the South African variant.
Defining the Basis of Cyanine Phototruncation Enables a New Approach to Single Molecule Localization Microscopy
Authors: Matikonda Siddharth , Helmerich Dominic , Meub Mara , Beliu Gerti , Kollmannsberger Philip , Greer Alec , Sauer Markus , Schnermann Martin
Published: April 2021

The light-promoted conversion of extensively used cyanine dyes to blue-shifted emissive products has been observed in various contexts. However, both the underlying mechanism and the species involved in this photoconversion reaction have remained elusive. Here we report that irradiation of heptamethine cyanines provides pentamethine cyanines, which, in turn, are photoconverted to trimethine cyanines. We detail an examination of the mechanism and substrate scope of this remarkable two-carbon phototruncation reaction. Supported by computational analysis, we propose that this reaction involves a singlet oxygen-initiated multi-step sequence involving a key hydroperoxycyclobutanol intermediate. Building on this mechanistic framework, we identify conditions to improve the yield of photoconversion by over an order of magnitude. We then demonstrate that cyanine phototruncation can be applied to super-resolution single-molecule localization microscopy, leading to improved spatial resolution with shorter imaging times. We anticipate these insights will help transform a common, but previously mechanistically ill-defined, chemical transformation into a valuable optical tool.
Highly Selective Ultrafast Circularly Polarized Photodiodes Based on π-Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Ward Matthew , Wade Jess , Shi Xingyuan , Nelson Jenny , Campbell Alasdair , Fuchter Matthew
Published: April 2021

Chiral π-conjugated molecular systems that are intrinsically sensitive to the handedness of circularly polarized (CP) light potentially allow for miniaturized, low-cost CP detection devices. Such devices promise to transform several technologies, including biosensing, quantum optics and communication of data encrypted by exploiting the spin angular momentum of light. Here we realize a simple, bilayer organic photodiode (CP OPD) comprising an achiral π-conjugated polymer–chiral additive blend as the electron donor layer and an achiral C60 electron acceptor layer. These devices exhibit considerable photocurrent dissymmetry gph, with absolute values as high as 0.85 and dark currents as low as 10 pA. Impressively, they showcase a linear dynamic range of 80 dB, and rise and fall times of 50 and 270 ns respectively, which significantly outperforms all previously reported CP selective photodetectors. Mechanistically, we show that the gph is sensitive to the thickness of both the chiral donor and achiral acceptor layers and that a trade-off exists between the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and gph. The fast-switching speeds of these devices, coupled with their large dynamic range and highly selective response to CP light, opens up the possibility of their direct application in CP sensing and optical communication.
Teamwork during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lajčin Daniel , Porubčanová Dáša
Published: April 2021

The essential of presented paper is human resource management, especially the concept of teamwork in home office conditions, for which both the state and the private sector of the Czech Republic were not used before the declaring a state emergency to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The presented paper has a classical structuring of the scientific paper, it is divided into a theoretical part and an empirical part. The theoretical part of the paper is based on a critical analysis of relevant information sources, which we have chosen with regard to the topic of the paper and the timeliness of the information provided in the information source. To synthesize and generalize the outputs of the critical analysis of information sources, we used a procedure from general to specific. In the empirical part of the presented paper we apply the information obtained to teams from the private sector and teams from the public sector. Using a questionnaire survey, we compare these two groups of teams in the areas of the concept of teamwork, team functionality, team management by its leader and motivation to perform in the context of the preparedness of the analyzed teams for home office. We found that greater negativity of teamwork as less productivity, or more demanding communication, is perceived by people from a private sector. Increased work from home in the private sector has improved communication and, in the public sector, work efficiency. In public sector, there is more frequent work control and feedback. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-SPER-01 Full Text: PDF
The Advantages and Disadvantages of E-working: An Examination using an ALDINE Analysis
Authors: Beňo Michal
Published: April 2021

Objectives: Working remotely comes with significant pros and cons with different demands for individuals or teams. E-working has been the object of much interest, but there has been little research on the statistical difference between its advantages and disadvantages. Research Question: Is there a significant statistical difference between them? Methods: The present research, however, goes one step further and identifies the statistical difference between them. Firstly, we evaluated the positive and negative aspects with a meta-analysis of 20 studies and, secondly, we used a non-parametric test, namely the Wilcoxon Rank Test, for further analysis across pros and cons. Findings: We found that e-working provides more positive than negative ones. A binomial test showed that most studies (more than 50%) mention flexibility, productivity and efficiency, satisfaction and WLB as benefits. Novelty/improvement:E-working is a triple win option. There are many advantages to working remotely, but this method of work does not suit everyone. Our results provide building blocks for a more complete theoretical and practical treatment of e-working for the future. But COVID-19, technology advancement and a connected global world show clearly that e-working will play a crucial role in the future of the workplace. Doi: 10.28991/esj-2021-SPER-02 Full Text: PDF