bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Survival Mechanisms of Short-Term Rentals in Virginia: A Comparative Analysis of Rural versus Non-Rural Markets
Authors: Choi Seungbee , Won Jongho
Published: August 2023

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the survival mechanisms of STRs in Virginia, particularly focusing on rural versus non-rural markets. Utilizing data from AirDNA, we observe 16,852 active listings from 2018 to 2022. The study identifies the influence of various factors on STR longevity, including unit type, location, and the number of bedrooms. It is a unique attempt to bridge the gap in understanding the dynamics of short-term rentals (STRs) in rural and urban contexts. Our findings reveal differences in the survival patterns of STRs in rural versus non-rural markets. In particular, rural STRs exhibit higher survival probabilities compared to their non-rural counterparts. Furthermore, Full-Time STRs, which are primarily dedicated to short-term rentals, show significantly higher survival probabilities than Occasional STRs, regardless of their location. These findings serve as critical inputs for stakeholders involved in policymaking, regulation, and industry strategies. By highlighting the distinctive dynamics of rural and urban STR markets, we underscore the need for context-specific regulations that can balance the economic benefits of STRs with the preservation of local housing options.
European Green Deal: Study of the Combined Agricultural Aggregate
Authors: Nadykto Volodymyr , Kyurchev Volodymyr , Findura Pavol , Hutsol Taras , Kurpaska Sławomir , Krakowiak-Bal Anna , Vasyuk Vyacheslav
Published: August 2023

The modern world industry involves the use of innovative approaches and optimisations of the existing agricultural management methods, which contribute to the implementation of the sustainable development of related industries and economies of different countries. The use of mobile agricultural units with extended functional properties can have a steady demand in the agricultural machinery market and contribute to the practical implementation of the philosophy of the “European Green Deal”. The research results show that when assembling a unit for mowing agricultural crops with simultaneous grinding and placing their stubble in the soil, preference should be given to a self-propelled machine with rear swivel wheels. When using a wheeled tractor, it must have a reversible control post and a reversible transmission. A mathematical model of the collecting unit was developed, which allows for obtaining the corresponding amplitude and phase frequency characteristics and, with their help, the stability of the horizontal movement was evaluated. According to the results of field studies, the dispersion of the angle of directional oscillation of the tractor with front-steered wheels was 4.48 grad2. For the tractor with rear-steered wheels, the value of this statistical parameter was 2.90 grad2, which, according to the F-test at the level of statistical significance of 0.05, is naturally lower.
Digital Transformation of Education: Design of a “Project-Based Teaching” Service Platform to Promote the Integration of Production and Education
Authors: Wang Xiang , Lee Chang , Li Yiwen , Zhu Xiaoyang
Published: August 2023

The integration of production and education represents a common paradigm for vocational education development globally. In this study, project-based teaching serves as a crucial pedagogical model. However, the manifestation of this model in Chinese undergraduate vocational institutions has yet to reach the desired state of integration. The objective of this research is to advance the concept, service model, and platform framework for project-based teaching service design through empirical research by utilizing the Double-Diamond process of service design. The aim is to address service pain points for stakeholders against the backdrop of project-based teaching with the integration of production and education, thereby enhancing service qualvrt[ity. Five critical areas were identified, leading to the proposition of service concepts such as platforms for information communication, fund management, teaching management, auditing/evaluation management, and promotion management. The effectiveness and recommendation levels of the digital service concepts were validated via a Net Promoter Score survey involving 100 stakeholders. This research features targeted discussions and suggestions regarding a conceptual digital service platform. The five service concepts derived from this research may serve as specific digital designs for applications and evaluations of project-based teaching.
Corporate Sustainability and Financial Performance: The Moderating Effect of CEO Characteristics
Authors: Almulhim Abdulateif A. , Aljughaiman Abdullah A.
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of corporate sustainability on financial performance as well as examine whether CEO characteristics influence the association between corporate sustainability and the financial performance of listed firms in the Saudi Stock Exchange. In this vein, this study is the first to utilize multiple CEO characteristics as a moderating role influencing the association between corporate sustainability and financial performance. In addition, the study focuses on the developing country of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the top oil producers in the world and is targeting to invest billions of dollars in renewable and sustainable energy projects according to Saudi Vision 2030. We primarily focused on ESG activities (environmental, social, and governance) and their impact on the return on assets and return on equity (employed as a proxy of financial performance). This study used the ordinary least squares (OLS) model to examine these associations as well as the system GMM to test for endogeneity problems. Using a sample of 1143 observations to represent the non-financial firms listed on the Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) for 9 years from 2014 to 2022, we found a negative and significant relationship between the activities of corporate sustainability and financial performance. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CEO characteristics (CEO busyness, CEO ownership, CEO education, CEO gender, and CEO tenure) exerted influence on the association between corporate sustainability and financial performance; that is, CEO busyness, CEO ownership, and CEO gender mitigated the negative influence of corporate sustainability on financial performance, whereas CEO education and CEO tenure made it worse. The results of this study have implications for regulators, firms, and stakeholders.
Agent-Based Model to Analyze the Role of the University in Reducing Social Exclusion
Authors: Villa-Enciso Eliana , Ruiz-Castañeda Walter , Robledo Velásquez Jorge
Published: August 2023

While conventional innovation has boosted economic growth in certain regions, it has not contributed to closing the social and economic gap in most developing countries. Humanity is going through a historic moment of great challenges. One of them is social exclusion, a matrix of factors that prevent human beings from achieving well-being: poverty, hunger, inequality, lack of access to basic resources and services, and lack of social ties that help improve these circumstances, among others. This study holds two hypotheses: (1) in this context, inclusive innovation emerges as a response to the inability of conventional innovation to contribute to solve the persistent challenge of social exclusion and (2) universities—key actors in innovation dynamics—should play a fundamental role in the generation of inclusive innovation, especially considering their natural commitment to society. Although the role of the university in innovation has been widely acknowledged and studied, no formal theoretical model has represented inclusive innovation in developing countries adopting a systemic, complex, adaptive, and functional approach and incorporating a diversity of agents, interactions, capabilities, learning processes, knowledge, and directionalities—this would enable us to understand the role of the university in inclusive innovation. This paper argues that innovation dynamics should be understood from a systemic perspective and using computational modeling and simulation methods, so that the inherent complexity of these systems can be taken into account. The analysis of innovation scenarios based on a formal theoretical model and its operationalization through computer simulation should contribute to the understanding of the role of the university in these system dynamics, which can be used to propose effective strategies to strengthen its participation. Therefore, this paper proposes a formal systemic agent-based conceptual model that can be used to study the role of the university in inclusive innovation and establish guidelines to improve its performance. This study implemented standard computer modeling and simulation, specifically adapted for agent-based modeling. The results obtained from the simulation scenarios were comparatively analyzed using statistical tests (ANOVA and Tukey) to determine the presence of statistically significant differences. As the main finding of the research, the proposed conceptual model was validated and proved to be useful for studying the role of the university in reducing social exclusion in the Global South, through the design and execution of computer simulation scenarios.
Envisioning Romania’s Path to Sustainable Development: A Prognostic Approach
Authors: Ciucu-Durnoi Alexandra-Nicoleta , Florescu Margareta Stela , Delcea Camelia
Published: August 2023

The objectives of sustainable development aim to find a balance between economic, social, and ecological plans through which to reduce the use of the planet’s resources without somehow affecting human well-being. As we have already entered the second half of the time allotted to achieve these goals, it is necessary to note what progress has been made and to have a future analysis of what may happen to see what can be done to bring this plan to an end. Hence, the aim of this paper is to assess the extent to which Romania is projected to attain its sustainable development goals. In order to be able to forecast the route that some of the sustainable development objectives are heading towards (among which there are elements related to agriculture, energy poverty, pollution, innovation, youth education, etc.), values were forecast for a period of three years using the ARIMA method, having as historical data the period 2015–2021. According to the analysis carried out, for some objectives, the situation seems to be flourishing, but this is not the case for all the analyzed indicators. Thus, it should be taken into account that, at the European level, Romania occupies, in many cases, low positions in terms of the progress made and that it is possible that some of the objectives will not be met.
Investigation of the Time-Dependent Stability of a Coal Roadway under the Deep High-Stress Condition Based on the Cvisc Creep Model
Authors: Yang Zhiliang , Zhang Cun , Yang Donghui
Published: August 2023

Creep is a fundamental property that naturally exists in some types of rock, which is significant for the long-term stability of roadways during the mining process. In this paper, the long-term strength of coal and rock were determined via laboratory experiments, and a Cvisc elasto-viscoplastic model was adopted and introduced in FLAC3D, based on the 31101 transport roadway in the Hongqinghe Coal Mine, to investigate the influence of creep on the stability of a deep high-stress roadway. The test results show that the long-term strength of 3-1 coal and sandy mudstone was 18.65 MPa and 39.95 MPa, respectively. The plastic zone, the deformation, and the damage of the roadway’s surrounding rock displayed an obvious increase after being excavated for 720 d as the creep model was chosen. The plastic zone failure was modeled with shear-p (1090.7 m3), shear-n (381.7 m3), tension-n (98.4 m3), and tension-p (30.8 m3). The damage value had an obvious increment of 21.2% (0.053), and the deformation increased in the order of the two sidewalls (1978 mm), the roof (907 mm), and the floor (101 mm). The creep of the roadway can be divided into three stages: the accelerating stage, the decaying stage, and the stable stage. The creep speed of each stage is greatly affected by the presence or absence of anchor spray support: the creep speed of the bare roadway roof, sidewalls, and floor stability was 1.01, 1.02, and 0.12 mm/d, respectively. After anchor spray support, the creep velocity, correspondingly, decreased to 0.69, 0.37, and 0.12 mm/d, and the amount of surrounding rock damage decreased from 0.302 to 0.243. This indicates that the anchor spray support can significantly reduce the creep effect of the roadway. The Cvisc creep model was verified to be reliable and can provide guidance for deep high-stress coal roadway support.
Preparing Urban Agriculture as a Tool for Food Security in a Municipality: A Case Study of the Huay Lan Subdistrict Municipality, Dok Khamtai District, Phayao Province, Thailand
Authors: Phromsin Chomchid , Suksawang Orasa
Published: August 2023

This research examines the socio-economic and environmental conditions of farmers in a subdistrict municipality in northern Thailand. The objectives are to explore the potential of urban agriculture in sustainable agriculture and food security and to spatially classify farm plots to support decision-making in the formation of a farmer coalition based on the collected data. The study surveyed 80 farm households selected based on their participation in a sustainable agriculture workshop in 2018, which focused on biochar technology and reducing open burning. Structured questionnaires covering social, economic, and environmental variables were used between December 2018 and January 2019. The impacts of natural disasters in 2021 and 2022 were also monitored. Statistical analyses, including mean, correlation, and clustering techniques (K-means and TwoStep clustering), were conducted. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were employed to create thematic maps based on the classification results. The findings highlight uncertainties in future food security due to labor shortages, low productivity, income, and chemical use. The spatial clustering results provide insights into weaknesses and development opportunities. A farmer coalition can advocate, train, share experiences, and engage the community in a commercial agriculture plan, enhancing food security. This approach leverages spatial clustering to identify improvements and drive sustainable agricultural development through collective efforts.
Systematic Review of Degradation Processes for Microplastics: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Xiang Peng , Zhang Ting , Wu Qian , Li Qiang
Published: August 2023

Microplastics (MPs) have been shown to be more hazardous than large plastics. In recent years, many studies have confirmed the hazards of MPs to organisms and summarized various MP degradation techniques, but there is a lack of discussion on the prospects of the application of these degradation techniques and their degradation efficiency. Therefore, this paper reviewed the degradation techniques of MPs, such as adsorption, direct photodegradation, photocatalytic oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, and biological methods, and their application prospects. By focusing on the biodegradation mechanism and degradation efficiency, the potential for efficient and sustainable development of biodegradation processes and the prospect of large-scale application are highlighted, enabling readers to better understand the current status of research on MP biodegradation. This review provides direction for research on MP degradation, suggestions for governmental environmental governance and policy development, and references for the sustainability and large-scale application of MP biodegradation.
How Does the Wine Sector Perform and Communicate Sustainability? The Italian Case
Authors: Bertorelli Sara , Gubelli Stella , Bramanti Valentina , Capri Ettore , Lamastra Lucrezia
Published: August 2023

The wine sector represents the world-class excellence of Italian agriculture in terms of both quality and quantity and makes an important contribution to the national economy. A number of studies deal with the sustainability of the Italian wine value chain under many specific aspects; however, a general review of the sector’s sustainability performance is not available. Therefore, this study aims to offer an overall evaluation of how the Italian wine industry performs in terms of sustainability and its relevant communication to stakeholders and to identify the most and least frequently recurring sustainability practices. The analysis indicates that the Italian wine sector shows variability in both the approaches to sustainability and the sensitivity of stakeholders to this topic, resulting in the analysed companies’ sustainability performance being dispersed across a broad evaluation range and not depending on the size of the wine producer. Furthermore, materiality analysis, a key methodology in sustainability planning, is adopted by few wine producers, and the sector does not seem to effectively communicate its sustainability efforts (only 43% of the analysed companies have comprehensive communication) to promote consumers’ drinking awareness and to provide information on economic sustainability. On the positive side, 84% of companies have adopted certifications, in particular those relevant to quality and food safety, energy, and water management.
Novel Approach to Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Based on the n,mPR-Fuzzy Weighted Power Average Operator
Authors: Hamadneh Tareq , Ibrahim Hariwan Z. , Abualhomos Mayada , Saeed Maha Mohammed , Gharib Gharib , Al Soudi Maha , Al-Husban Abdallah
Published: August 2023

A significant addition to fuzzy set theory for expressing uncertain data is an n,m-th power root fuzzy set. Compared to the nth power root, Fermatean, Pythagorean, and intuitionistic fuzzy sets, n,m-th power root fuzzy sets can cover more uncertain situations due to their greater range of displayed membership grades. When discussing the symmetry between two or more objects, the innovative concept of an n,m-th power root fuzzy set over dual universes is more flexible than the current notion of an intuitionistic fuzzy set, a Pythagorean fuzzy set, and a nth power root fuzzy set. In this study, we demonstrate a number of additional operations on n,m-th power root fuzzy sets along with a number of their special aspects. Additionally, to deal with choice information, we create a novel weighted aggregated operator called the n,m-th power root fuzzy weighted power average (FWPAmn) across n,m-th power root fuzzy sets and demonstrate some of its fundamental features. To rank n,m-th power root fuzzy sets, we also define the score and accuracy functions. Moreover, we use this operator to identify the countries with the best standards of living and show how we can select the best option by contrasting aggregate results using score values. Finally, we contrast the results of the FWPAmn operator with the square-root fuzzy weighted power average (SR-FWPA), the nth power root fuzzy weighted power average (nPR-FWPA), the Fermatean fuzzy weighted power average (FFWPA), and the n,m-rung orthopair fuzzy weighted power average (n,m-ROFWPA) operators.
Graph Embedding with Similarity Metric Learning
Authors: Tao Tao , Wang Qianqian , Ruan Yue , Li Xue , Wang Xiujun
Published: August 2023

Graph embedding transforms high-dimensional graphs into a lower-dimensional vector space while preserving their structural information and properties. Context-sensitive graph embedding, in particular, performs well in tasks such as link prediction and ranking recommendations. However, existing context-sensitive graph embeddings have limitations: they require additional information, depend on community algorithms to capture multiple contexts, or fail to capture sufficient structural information. In this paper, we propose a novel Graph Embedding with Similarity Metric Learning (GESML). The core of GESML is to learn the optimal graph structure using an attention-based symmetric similarity metric function and establish association relationships between nodes through top-k pooling. Its primary advantage lies in not requiring additional features or multiple contexts, only using the symmetric similarity metric function and pooling operations to encode sufficient topological information for each node. Experimental results on three datasets involving link prediction and node-clustering tasks demonstrate that GESML significantly improves learning for all challenging tasks relative to a state-of-the-art (SOTA) baseline.
Vieta–Lucas Polynomials for the Brusselator System with the Rabotnov Fractional-Exponential Kernel Fractional Derivative
Authors: Khader Mohamed M. , Macías-Díaz Jorge E. , Saad Khaled M. , Hamanah Waleed M.
Published: August 2023

In this study, we provide an efficient simulation to investigate the behavior of the solution to the Brusselator system (a biodynamic system) with the Rabotnov fractional-exponential (RFE) kernel fractional derivative. A system of fractional differential equations can be used to represent this model. The fractional-order derivative of a polynomial function tp is approximated in terms of the RFE kernel. In this work, we employ shifted Vieta–Lucas polynomials in the spectral collocation technique. This process transforms the mathematical model into a set of algebraic equations. By assessing the residual error function, we can confirm that the provided approach is accurate and efficient. The outcomes demonstrate the effectiveness and simplicity of the technique for accurately simulating such models.
Remediation Strategies for Mycotoxins in Animal Feed
Authors: Deng Jiang , Huang Jun-Cheng , Xu Ze-Jing , Liu Ying , Karrow Niel Alexander , Liu Meng , Sun Lv-Hui
Published: August 2023

Mycotoxins occur widely in various animal feedstuffs, with more than 500 mycotoxins identified so far [...]
BA.1/BA.5 Immunogenicity, Reactogenicity, and Disease Activity after COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Speer Claudius , Töllner Maximilian , Benning Louise , Bartenschlager Marie , Kim Heeyoung , Nusshag Christian , Kälble Florian , Reineke Marvin , Reichel Paula , Schnitzler Paul , Zeier Martin , Morath Christian , Schmitt Wilhelm , Bergner Raoul , Bartenschlager Ralf , Lorenz Hanns-Martin , Schaier Matthias
Published: August 2023

Emerging omicron subtypes with immune escape lead to inadequate vaccine response with breakthrough infections in immunocompromised individuals such as Anti-neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) patients. As AAV is considered an orphan disease, there are still limited data on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and prospective studies that have focused exclusively on AAV patients are lacking. In addition, there are safety concerns regarding the use of highly immunogenic mRNA vaccines in autoimmune diseases, and further studies investigating reactogenicity are urgently needed. In this prospective observational cohort study, we performed a detailed characterization of neutralizing antibody responses against omicron subtypes and provided a longitudinal assessment of vaccine reactogenicity and AAV disease activity. Different vaccine doses were generally well tolerated and no AAV relapses occurred during follow-up. AAV patients had significantly lower anti-S1 IgG and surrogate-neutralizing antibodies after first, second, and third vaccine doses as compared to healthy controls, respectively. Live-virus neutralization assays against omicron subtypes BA.1 and BA.5 revealed that previous SARS-CoV-2 vaccines result in an inadequate neutralizing immune response in immunocompromised AAV patients. These data demonstrate that new vaccination strategies including adapted mRNA vaccines against epitopes of emerging variants are needed to help protect highly vulnerable individuals such as AAV patients.
Biogeochemical In Situ Barriers in the Aquifers near Uranium Sludge Storages
Authors: Boguslavsky Anatoly , Shvartseva Olga , Popova Nadezhda , Safonov Alexey
Published: August 2023

The long-term operation of uranium sludge storages causes serious problems: it contaminates the neighboring aquifers with dangerous substances (uranium, nitrate, ammonium, and sulfate). To purify the aquifers can be costly and time-consuming; therefore, it is important to use the potential of in situ conditions, e.g., the aboriginal microflora and its ability to biologically remediate water reservoirs. In this work, we study the geological, geochemical, and microbiological characteristics of groundwater contaminated by uranium sludge storages resulting from the production cycles of four Russian chemical plants. All of the sites under consideration were extremely contaminated with nitrate (up to 15 g/L); in each case, we used denitrifying bacteria as a dominant group of microorganisms for purification. Our laboratory studies showed that microbial stimulation of water samples by milk whey promotes O2 and nitrate removal; this, in turn, started the cycle of anaerobic processes of authigenic precipitation caused by the reduction of iron and sulfate in the system. Thus, a mineral geochemical barrier preventing uranium immobilization formed. As a result, the uranium of the liquid phase decreased about 92–98% after 3–6 months (decomposition time depends on the nitrate concentration in the groundwater probe). The resulting amorphous biogenic phases contain sulfur, iron, phosphorus, and uranium.
A Critical Review of Innovations and Perspectives for Providing Adequate Water for Sustainable Irrigation
Authors: Abou-Shady Ahmed , Siddique Muhammad Saboor , Yu Wenzheng
Published: August 2023

Global climatic change intensifies the water crisis, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In this regard, the provision of enough water for irrigation is a serious dilemma because the agricultural sector consumes the largest amount of water (70% withdrawal and 90% consumption). In this review, we have summarized recent innovations that have emerged as unconventional techniques to supply adequate water for irrigation purposes. We present the principles and basics of seven approaches: the Sahara Forest Project (SFP), water extraction from the air (WEA), aquifer recharge, the treatment of marginal water using a magnetic field, desalination and wastewater treatment (DWT), electro-agric technology (E-AT), and the Toshka Project. The SFP is currently being utilized in Aqaba, Jordan, and DWT is considered a common practice worldwide, whereas some of these innovations are still under investigation to ensure their feasibility for large-scale applications, such as E-AT. The Toshka Project is considered a wonderful idea that utilizes the water stored behind the High Dam in Lake Nasser, Egypt. Several approaches have been adopted to reduce the amount of water being used for irrigation, as the current amount of freshwater is insufficient for the requirements of increased agricultural consumption, particularly in hot, arid, and semi-arid regions.
Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823) and Faxonius limosus (Rafinesque, 1817) as New, Alternative Sources of Chitin and Chitosan
Authors: Nuc Zofia , Brusotti Gloria , Catenacci Laura , Grenha Ana , Pontes Jorge F. , Pinto da Silva Joana , Rosa da Costa Ana Maria , Moro Paola , Milanese Chiara , Grisoli Pietro , Sorrenti Milena , Dobrzycka-Krahel Aldona , Bonferoni Maria Cristina , Caramella Carla Marcella
Published: August 2023

The growing demand for chitin and chitosan makes it necessary to look for new sources of these polymers and to develop more environmentally friendly methods for their isolation. The subjects of the current study were chitin and chitosan extracted from shells of two crayfish species: P. leptodactylus and F. limosus. The obtained polymers were characterized by physicochemical properties (molecular weight, thermal stability, and structure). The obtained chitosan was evaluated regarding biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity. The yield of chitin obtained from P. leptodactylus and F. limosus with a standard method was 22 ± 2.7% and 20 ± 3.6% (w/w), respectively (a preliminary extraction with a natural deep eutectic solvent was performed successfully only for P. leptodactylus). The yield of chitosan production was 15 ± 0.3% and 14 ± 4.2%, respectively. Both chitosan samples showed antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Cytotoxicity assays revealed a time- and concentration-dependent effect, with a milder impact at concentrations up to 250 µg/mL. A more favourable profile was observed for chitosan from F. limosus shells.
Groundwater Level Trend Analysis and Prediction in the Upper Crocodile Sub-Basin, South Africa
Authors: Tladi Tsholofelo Mmankwane , Ndambuki Julius Musyoka , Olwal Thomas Otieno , Rwanga Sophia Sudi
Published: August 2023

Disasters related to climate change regarding water resources are on the rise in terms of scale and severity. Therefore, predicting groundwater levels (GWLs) is a crucial means to aid adaptive capacity towards disasters related to climate change in water resources. In this study, a Gradient Boosting (GB) regression modelling approach for GWL prediction as a function of rainfall and antecedent GWL is used. A correlation analysis carried out from 2011 to 2020 demonstrated that monthly GWLs can be predicted by antecedent GWLs and rainfall. The study also sought to understand the long-term effects of climate events on groundwater levels over the study area through a Mann–Kendall (MK) trend analysis. A total of 50% of the groundwater stations revealed declining trends, while 25% had no trends and the other 25% showed an increasing trend. Again, the correlation analysis results were used in justifying the trends. The GB predictive model performed satisfactorily for all groundwater stations, with the MSE values ranging from 0.03 to 0.304 and the MAE varying from 0.12 to 0.496 in the validation period. The R2 ranged from 0.795 to 0.902 for the overall period. Therefore, based on projected rainfall and antecedent groundwater levels, future GWLs can be predicted using the GB model derived in this study.
Family physicians’ moral distress when caring for patients experiencing social inequities: a critical narrative inquiry in primary care
Authors: Molinaro Monica L , Shen Katrina , Agarwal Gina , Inglis Gabrielle , Vanstone Meredith
Published: August 2023

Background

Family physicians (GPs) working with patients experiencing social inequities have witnessed patients’ healthcare needs proliferate. Alongside increased workload demands fostered within current remuneration structures, this has generated concerning reports of family physician attrition and possible experiences of moral distress.

Aim

To explore stories of moral distress shared by family physicians caring for patients experiencing health needs related to social inequities.

Design and setting

A critical narrative inquiry, informed by the analytic lens of moral distress, conducted in Ontario, Canada.

Method

Twenty family physicians were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling via word of mouth and email mailing lists relevant to addictions and mental health care. Physicians participated in two narrative interviews and had the opportunity to review the interview transcripts.

Results

Family physicians’ accounts of moral distress were linked to policies governing physician remuneration, scope of practice, and the availability of social welfare programmes. These structural elements left physicians unable to get patients much needed support and resources.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that physicians experience moral distress when unable to offer crucial resources to improve the health of patients with complex social needs resulting from structural features of the Canadian health and social welfare system. Further research is needed to critically interrogate how health and social welfare systems around the world can be reformed to improve the health of patients and increase family physicians’ professional quality of life, potentially improving retention.
Illuminating the Page in Transylvania Around 1500. The First Contact/Enluminer la page en Transylvanie vers 1500. Le premier contact
Authors:   The Institute of History “George Bariţiu” of The Romanian Academy, Dincă Adinel C.
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this paper is to make an introductory presentation of the existing information regarding the decoration of the manuscript book in Transylvania at the end of the Middle Ages. At the same time, the author suggests a series of connections between apparently disparate data and proposes the identification of a group of works that seem to belong to the same artist. This “Vigiliale group” comprises three manuscript volumes of liturgical content, but also a papal indulgence, probably decorated in Braşov around 1500. This fact, along with other forms of decorations in various places within Transylvania, in addition to documentary information, shows a surprisingly intense activity of book and charter illumination in Transylvania in the decades before the Protestant Reformation.
A new Fragment of the Antiphonale Varadiense at the Romanian Academy Library in Cluj/Un nouveau fragment de L’Antiphonale Varadiense a la Bibliotheque de L’Academie Roumaine, Cluj
Authors:   “Babeș-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca Centre for the History of the Book and Texts (CODEX), Papahagi Adrian
Published: August 2023

John Filipec,bishop of Oradea between 1476-1490, endowed his cathedral with deluxe copies of the antiphonary and of the gradual, each in two volumes. At some point between 1557 and the early 1620s, the books were displaced and mutilated: the main bulk of the antiphonary arrived in Győr, where it was rebound in the nineteenth century by the local archbishop,János Zalka, but numerous fragments ended up in various cities, from Güssing, Bratislava and Kosiče to Alba Iulia and Cluj. The present paper presents one further such fragment, newly found in the binding of a volume reuniting two books by János Lippay, printed in Vienna in 1664 and 1667, and owned in Alba Iulia in 1597.
Échanges de bonnes pratiques ou espionnage pédagogique? Le rapport de George Costa‑Foru études sur “L’instruction publique dans certains des états les plus avancés d’Europe”, București, Tipografia Sf. Sava, 1860
Authors:   “Babeș-Bolyai” University, Cluj-Napoca Faculty of History and Philosophy, Saurer-Chiorean Cora
Published: August 2023

A rare book for us but a compulsory object of study for Romanian-speaking teachers in all Romanian schools of Transylvania in the year 1861. In a research related to school plurilingualism in Transylvania of the 19th century, in the correspondence of the studied author, George Bariț, I discovered an order of over 100 books with the title "Studii asupra instructiunii publice în unele din statele cele mai înaintate ale Europei" ("Studies on Public "Instruction in Some of the Most advanced States of Europe"  by George Costa-Foru, published at the Printing House of the National College of St. Sava, in Bucharest, in 1860. The order will be sent to all the Romanian schools in Transylvania, with which George Bariț was in permanent exchange. The author, George Costa-Foru, director of the schools Ephoria in 1857, received an important mission from the representative of the Ottoman Porte in Bucharest, the caimacan Dimitrie Al. Ghica: in four months, he will have to travel across Europe and bring back information about the most advanced schools and educational institutions in the visited states. The way they function will be the model of a school and public education reform in Wallachia, but also, as it will be historically demonstrated, they will constitute the basis of the first Public Education Act in the newly formed Romania, a state created after the union of the two historical Romanian-speaking principalities, Moldova and Wallachia. In the present article, the interest is to introduce the volume with some observations about George Costa-Foru's journey and to put for the first time in the equation the importance of this journey, presented in the book more as a report to a mission then a literary diary. A list of all the institutions he visited is for the first time made available to the general public in our article.  Was this really a baiting mission for the Turks or a simple gathering of information that will be the basis for the modernization of public education in the future sovereign state? The research in progress, of which this article is a part, will endeavour to shed light on this problem of pedagogical espionage: Costa-Foru returns with more than 480 original documents from the institutions visited, which he lists at the end of the report and officially hands over to the Minister of Public Instruction in 1857, the year of his trip. The book is the final report, Costa-Foru gives to his commander, but it does not tell us how these documents were obtained. They are still unknown to the public, but they are summarised in the appendix of the report written by George Costa-Foru.
Le principe de dualisme appliqué aux problèmes de croissance et de cycles
Authors: Akerman Johan
Published: August 2023

The dualism principle applied to the problem of growth and cycles.

Ii is important , first, to distinguish between causal analysis and normative models or plans. The theory of the multiplier, which confuses the two, seeking to be at the same time deductive and inductive, contradicts both itself and the facts. Secondly one must distinguish between variations of aggregate quantities and structural changes. Economic analysis treats cyclical fluctuations and growth in terms of aggregate quantities, implicitly assuming that all factors are atomistic and assuming away the problem of aggregation. Trade cycle theory generally ignores structural changes and increasing government intervention since 1914. Under what conditions do cycles arise ? Growth has a vague, partial, subjective meaning. There is no similarity between the continuous development of the XIXth century, when growth appeared linked to industrialisation in a world economy, and the discontinuous development since 1914, when growth is nothing but the annual increase, in a disrupted economy, of certain non-monelary series devoid of evolutionary meaning.

How can structural changes be apprehended ? Cf. W. Leontiefs analysis of the U. S. economic structure and Sir Dennis Robertson’s Banking Policy and the Price Level : Leontief’s matrix system and Sir Dennis’s concept of differentiated savings are elements of a structural analysis. The author’s own Ekonomisk Teori, II, contains tools of analysis for attacking the problem of the relation between the plans of groups and those of society. Entrepreneurs’ and the State’s investment plans are the agents of change in society ; how are they to be coordinated ? The article concludes with a schematical outline of the evolution of economic method since the end of the XVIIIth century.
Convertibilité ou intégration ?
Authors: Triffin Robert
Published: August 2023

Monetary convertibility and economic integration are complementary rather than alternative objectives.

Full convertibility implies the absence of both exchange control and trade restrictions. It is thus equivalent to free trade , and impossible in practice.

Workable convertibility is defined by the free arbitrage between currencies and the absence of discriminatory trade restrictions. It is antagonistic to bilateralism.

Thus defined , convertibility requires some degree of integration of the monetary and economic policies of the main countries. This is necessary to avoid both the danger of unemployment and the risk of any one country reaping the benefits of making its currency inconvertible , when other currencies remain convertible.

In practice, worldwide integration would be clumsy and unnecessary. There is therefore wide scope for regional arrangements. Even then, mone¬ tary integration may call for some degree of political integration.

The paper ends by suggesting some lines along which intra-European monetary institutions and policies should be modified so as to reach the objective of convertibility.
Essai de reconstruction des catégories de l'emploi
Authors: Sellier François
Published: August 2023

A tentative reconstruction of employment categories.

The keynesian concept of involuntary unemployment is difficult to define and appears unadapted to problems of economic growth. Two limiting definitions of “available” workers are proposed ; a) workers discharged during the preceeding period and b) all fit but unemployed members of the population aged 18 to 65 years.

The first definition accepts the state of the demand for labour, the second takes the demographic situation as given and trys to adapt the environment to it.

Pigou, while referring to the behaviouristic aspects of unemployment in the short period, in fact, gives more importance to the demographic situation in the long run. Beveridge in his two major studies of unemployment used consecutively the theory of Pigou and the theory of Keynes.

A series of categories is presented which makes it possible to define more precisely not so much the surplus supply of labour as the receptiveness of the environment to wage employment. The model makes it possible to examine other factors which influence the state of the labour market ; under-employment, disguised unemployment, non — salaried under — employment.

The process by which the “available” population enters the “active” population during periods of capital extension and of intensification of work leads to the conclusion that the concept of full employment is only relative.
Essai d'une théorie structurelle du change
Authors: Teilhac Ernest
Published: August 2023

Outline of a structural theory of change.

Two major periods may be distinguished in the evolution of international economic relations :

— The first is the passage from an implicit clearing which appeared with the development of instruments of exchange (exchange between private individuals with an organic mechanism of regulatory gold movements) to an explicit clearing which appeared with controlled exchange (exchange between public agents and the submission of monetary aspects to economic ones). For example, the Exchange Equalization funds and the Tripartite Agreement of 1936, going on to exchange control and clearing agreements. But this type of organized public clearing was «lopsided» in so far as it opposed countries practising controls and those with a free economy (Franco-German clearing in the inter-war period) and was restrictive as regards its bilateral or falsely multipateral character (clearing between Germany and the conquered countries).

— The second is the passage from the Bretton Woods system of monetary internationalism which was fictitious because it was conceived of as a system based upon individuals and not upon nations of unequal strength, to a real economic internationalism, that is, the Marshall Plan and long-term public international investment, or the substitution of lend lease and contributions from the victor for reparation payments from the defeated country and inter-allied debts. Thus long term economic productivity was substituted for immediate financial return.

Today, economic and monetary unification inside geographic regions is opposed, as a necessary stage in the development of the world economy, to an ineffectual world organization. The integration of Europe to the United States or the Soviet Union will be improved to the extent that Europe begins by integrating herself.
Sur la politique du plein emploi
Authors: Perroux François
Published: August 2023

On full employment policies.

Neither the “classical” nor the keynesian models are sufficient for the correct formulation of a full employment policy.

Full employment is a compromise between maximum and optimum use of available labour. The adoption of a maximum percentage of unemployment cannot be applied in practice. Another method of multiple symptoms is suggested which leads to a redefinition of full employment : a high level of correctly applied employment which is compatible with economic expansion and growth without unbearable disequilibria.

After analysing the technical organs needed for the application of a correct policy of full employment three concrete applications of the policy are examined.

1° The adaptation of existing structures to a greater degree of international multilateralism. This implies an appropriate monetary policy differentiated according to the various sectors of the national economy, a non-global investment policy directed towards the increase of production and of productivity related to the state of the balance of payments, and a wage policy which complements and facilitates the realisation of these two criteria.

2° A full employment policy adapted to the type of problem which an American slump, given the structure of the contemporary American economy in relation to other national economies, would create. It is extremely doubtful whether purely national policies in other countries would be adequate in such an eventuality.

3° Employment and long-term economic growth. The perequistite is a policy of regional development centres in underdeveloped areas to avoid both the present waste of manpower in those areas and future conflicts of old and developing nationalisms.
Notes sur l'indétermination du concept de productivité dans une économie dynamique
Authors: Mainguy Yves
Published: August 2023

Notes on the indetermination of the concept of productivity in a dynamic economy

The notion of the rhythm of production applies to a given period where production takes place on an unchanged basis. The study of economic progress, on the contrary, applies to periods between which changes, other then in the rhythm of production, have taken place. This distinction leads directly to the concept of productivity.

Productivity viewed, only as a difference in the rale of production, is indeterminate and does not help for the study of economic growth. Neither does it gel very close to what is called productivity in modern technical conditions.

The notion of productivity can only be applied to labour, as the idea of changes in rhythm are not applicable to fixed capital. It is, therefore, not by chance that students of productivity have been forced back upon the notion of the productivity of labour. What do economists have to say about the latter ?

Measures of productivity in specific activities and with reference to the quantity of labour supplied to obtain a given output need a ceteris paribus clause and are of only limited economic significance. Integral productivity of labour should compare the product with the sum of direct and indirect labour supplied. Rut this cannot be measured.

Whilst the notion of net productivity is more fertile economically, the technician, unlike the economist tends to eliminate price effects by assuming prices unchanged. For the economy as a whole, the need to increase productivity may be imperative from a technical point of view, but still be of doubtful value if employment is not full. The economist finds a better instrument in the relation between overall production and the overall number of consumers.

The latter notion of productivity does not describe completely economic progress which cannot be measured by a single index, and can only be defined in relation to a set of postulates. Rut it does help to express an overall economic situation. At this point, however, the concept of the productivity of labour is no longer of use for the technician.