bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Managerial Elements Specific to Military Logistics
Authors: Alexandrescu Mihai-Bogdan , Constantin Daniel-Sorin , Milandru Marius
Published: July 2018

Management, both as a science and as a reality, exists and applies to all hierarchical levels and segments of activity, including logistics. Military logistics ensures and maintains the necessary conditions for the large units and units to be able to fulfill their missions and objectives in the best possible conditions, both in peacetime and in other situations, crisis, war, etc. Its functional areas are specific to supply, maintenance, movement and transport, medical and veterinary support, and service provision. In this context, it can be said that the management of military logistics represents the science and the art of using the material resources, as well as the management of the human resources specialized in the logistic field, in order to achieve the objectives of the organization
Evaluation Methods of the Impact of Structural and Cohesion Funds on Economic and Social Development at Regional and National Level
Authors: Bătușaru Cristina , Bucur Amelia
Published: July 2018

Analysis of the role and implications of the funds coming from the European Union have on the national economy is very complex and complicated at the same time, because of the multitude of issues and indicators that this process shapes and drives, depending on the source of funding, the modality of funding and on the destination for which it has been allocated. Using mathematical models to assess the impact of European funding on the national economy is paramount valuable as it brings important information that can be used by policy makers in decision making sewage inputs and financial resources, in view of adopting optimal economic policy
Opportunities for Multiplying the Expenses in Economic Effects and Benefits for the Budget of the National Military University “Vasil Levski”
Authors: Glushkov Pavlin Ivanov
Published: July 2018

In recent years, there is a marked tendency for the net amount of salaries, social security payments, social expenses and scholarships at the National Military University "Vasil Levski” to increase. This is due both to an increase in the number of staff on a permanent employment contract and the number of cadets, and to the change in the parameters of the average annual gross salary and scholarships, as well as the structure of the compulsory social security contributions. It can be concluded that in view of the increase in the number of cadets over the last few years, there will be a tendency for the net share of salaries, remunerations, social contributions, social expenses and scholarships to increase in the future. Opportunities to remedy the imbalances in the cost structure of the National Military University "Vasil Levski" can be found not only in the increase of the money supply in the transfer and the increase in the university's revenues, but also in the optimization or improvement of the expenditures as regards benefits and support
The Effects of Ageing Population on the Economy and on Service Activities in Romania
Authors: Rabonțu Cecilia Irina , Todoruț Amalia Venera
Published: July 2018

Romania's ageing population is a fact well established by specialists in statistical data analysis. The effects of this irreversible phenomenon, which is difficult to counteract in the current circumstances, are multiple - on the economy, generally, but especially on the service activities which are necessary for the target population - "old age" - in order to increase their quality of life. In this paper we proposed to analyze the level of ageing of the Romanian population, to identify the effects of this phenomenon on the economy and on the major economic sectors with emphasis on service activities. Tertiary sector activities are divided into two categories namely: those that can improve the quality of life of elders and services absolutely necessary for them - elderly care services, medical services, spa treatment services, social services etc.In order to achieve the objectives proposed in this paper, we used the analysis of the specialized literature on this subject up to this point and the descriptive statistics with which we interpreted the statistical data found in the official databases. The results of this study are to establish the existing relationship between the ageing process of the Romanian population and the response of the economy, and especially of the services to the needs of the elderly
Analysis of the Impact of Intangible Resources at Macroeconomic Level. The Case of Romania
Authors: Stan Sebastian Emanuel
Published: July 2018

The results of literature analysis confirm the strategic value of intangible resources in creating wealth and conferring competitive advantages to nations. However, there are few academic papers related to intangible resources at country level. At national level, economic growth is increasingly based on knowledge and other intangible resources than on physical ones. To test this hypothesis in Romania, this article analyses how intangible resources influence economic growth, and correlation indices between different types of intangible resources and gross domestic product value are calculated. The analysis shows that there are very strong positive correlations between GDP and most of the intangible resource variables. Despite the importance of intangible resources at national level and the fact that they are an important factor in determining economic growth in the current knowledge-based economy, Romania's position in the international context regarding intangible assets is very weak, with many weak points in research and innovation performance compared to other EU Member States. Therefore, there is a need in our country to re-evaluate the areas where all efforts need to be focused to stimulate innovation performance, to properly manage national intangible resources, a crucial process for improving the quality of life
Theoretical Approaches on Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Stanciu Leontin , Stanciu Cristian-Lucian
Published: July 2018

Under the conditions of a knowledge-based economy, maximizing the value of the economic entities cannot be achieved solely by basic activities. Fulfilling this fundamental objective implies carrying out other types of activities with a social impact unified under the concept of social responsibility. In this context, the authors aim to empirically investigate this concept both in terms of its evolution and the way it is implemented in the national economies and in the local communities
Effective Options for Determining Customer Profitability
Authors: Terziev Venelin , Banabakova Vanya , Georgiev Marin
Published: July 2018

Marketing is an art to attract and retain customers, but not to any but profitable customers. Unfortunately, organizations often understand that 20 to 40 percent of their customers are unprofitable. Also, many organizations report the fact that their most profitable customers are not the ones who buy the most, but the average shoppers. Major customers require special service and get the biggest discounts, thus reducing the company's profits. The smallest customers pay the full price and get a minimum of service, but the expenses connected with the deals reduces the profitability they earn. Average customers enjoy good service, pay almost the whole price, and in many cases prove to be the most profitable. Therefore, a number of large organizations, which initially target only large customers are then orientated towards the average customer market. An organization should not pursue and satisfy every client. Orientation should be to cost-effective customers. This in turn requires the definition of a "cost-effective customer". The present study explores the possibilities for measuring customer profitability, analyzes the connection- service’ expenses, a cost-effective client and presents the application of the ABC method - analysis to distinguish the customer service policy
Types of Administrative Sanctions for Tax Offences
Authors: Baldzhiev Petar Ivanov
Published: July 2018

The Bulgarian law regulates the administrative sanction as a specific sanction for noncompliance with the approved order in the state administration. Its imposition is considered to be an expression of state compulsion and it represents a realization of the administrative responsibility. The article aims to examine the peculiarities of the administrative sanctions imposed in the cases of tax offences, in regard to the specificity of the tax entities. The legislator has provided various administrative sanctions which are mainly systematized in the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act. Tax legislation does not lay down new types of administrative sanctions but it uses the types provided by the Administrative Violations and Sanctions Act, and namely: public reprimand, fine, temporary deprivation of the right to be exercised a particular profession or to be carried out a particular activity, forfeiture in favour of the state, sanctions in the form of penalty payments imposed on legal entities and sole traders. The typical characteristics and peculiarities of the imposed for tax offences sanctions are the subject of the analysis
The Right to Family Life and Religious Freedom Versus the States‘ Interests
Authors: Băra Bianca-Codruța
Published: July 2018

The right to family life and religious freedom rejoice an universal recognition. The right to family life involves the prerogative of exercising parental authority in accordance with the religious beliefs of the parents. The right of parents to decide on behalf of their children is not an absolute one. Interference by the states must justify a legitimate aim and must be proportionate to that purpose. The states have to maintain a balance between the right to family life and religious freedom and its interests in safeguarding the lives and health of its citizens. The difficulty of maintaining this balance was also found in the jurisprudence of the courts. The most common cases arose as a result of the refusal of parents who belonged to the Jehovah's Witnesses religion to allow blood to be transfused for their children, risking their lives. Although the courts have explicitly recognized the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their beliefs, they have shown that rescuing life and ensuring the physical and mental integrity of children are issues of national concern, so that the rapid intervention of public authorities, when these values are jeopardized, becomes not only a right of the state but also an obligation
Approbation of Models and Legislation in Accommodation Infrastructure for Soldiers from Land Forces Army Compatible with Models and Legislation in Member States of the Alliance
Authors: Filipov Stefan
Published: July 2018

The membership of the country in the Euro-Atlantic structures, the professionalization of the Armed Forces and their participation in joint operations put the Bulgarian Army in front of the necessity to comply with the rules for communal-household provision applied in the NATO member states. As the resource constraint of the Military Budget, determined by the economic potential of the country, does not allow the construction of new military infrastructure objects, the current models for modernization, maintenance and utilization of the military infrastructure in the part of the communal-household provision of the Armed Forces are proposed. The implementation of the presented models is in response to solve problems in improving the maintenance and using military infrastructure elements. On the one hand, the applicability of the models requires the development of scientifically-based norms and legislation for the communal-household provision of the servicemen and on the other hand, it responds to the requirements for improving the quality of life of military personnel in the context of continuous structural reforms and transformations
Legal Aspects Regarding the Existence of the Internal Armed Conflict
Authors: Guțan Sabin
Published: July 2018

The issue of the existence of the internal armed conflict concerns both legal factors and political factors (recognition of the existence of the internal armed conflict). From a legal point of view, to declare a violent social phenomenon as internal armed conflict, we must resort to the specific rules of international humanitarian law: Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and Article 1 of the First Additional Protocol to these conventions of 1977. However, these regulations, while describing the general parameters of the existence of an internal armed conflict, do not establish clear legal criteria for delimiting the internal armed conflict of internal tensions and disturbances or other forms of non-armed conflicts. This regulatory shortcoming has led to the emergence in the jurisprudence of some states, but also in the international one, of criteria for the existence of the internal armed conflict
Methodology of Crime Prevention Training
Authors: Krastev Krastyu , Doncheva Marya
Published: July 2018

According to the Military Police Act the Military Police Service, alone or in collaboration with other security services and public order services, carries out activities to prevent crimes. The purpose of this report is to represent the methodology of crime prevention training of the military police cadets at Vasil Levski NMU. In order to achieve the research goals, the theoretical and methodological aspects are analyzed as well as the main pedagogical tools and the possibilities of applying modern training methods. The methodology of the research includes an analysis of the current legal and regulatory legislation, comparative analysis and formulation of some general conclusions for improving crime prevention training
Existing Dangers for the Child on the Internet
Authors: Krasteva Nadezhda
Published: July 2018

In the past few years there has been a significant increase in Internet use. Undoubtedly, the Internet reveals new opportunities for its users, but it also hides serious dangers. It was found that the most frequent Internet users are people aged 14-24. In recent years there is a fall in the lower age limit. Therefore, children, as the most active users of the Internet, are also the most vulnerable to online dangers. The subject of this research is precisely those online dangers, which threaten children in particular. They affect different social relationships, but each of them affects the proper development of children. The aim of the research is to inform the public and its individual citizens about the existing dangers on the Internet. It turns out that the most secure form of prevention here is namely awareness and training. By outlining existing dangers on the Internet and presenting them to the public, effective ways to avoid them could be sought. In this way, children can be protected from internet encroachments
Some Problems of the European Information Exchange Model in the Field of the Law Enforcement Cooperation
Authors: Mihov Simo
Published: July 2018

There are some mechanisms which ensure information exchange among the member states of the EU in the field of the law enforcement cooperation such as European Information Exchange Model (EIXM) and channels used the information with operational importance to be transferred from one authorized user to another such as the Secure Information Exchange Network Application (SIENA) and the system I-24/7. The article is devoted to defining of some problems of organizational and managerial character for improving the compatibility between these mechanisms and suggesting of some simple solutions the obstacles to be overcome
The Presence of the Ministry of National Defense in the Social Media Space. Analysis of the Official Communication Effort Between the Years 2012-2017
Authors: Bîlbîie Răduţ
Published: July 2018

The study presents the emergence and evolution of the Public Relations accounts and products associated with social media platforms, at the official level in the Romanian army. We present the main regulations, the planning and execution structures, the significant moments in the development of the platforms, the successes and errors of the implementation team, the main results obtained by the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the products between the year 2012, the year of implementation. and the present time
Visuality and Communication in Military English Classes
Authors: Boștină-Bratu Simona , Negoescu Alina Gabriela , Palea Lucia
Published: July 2018

The present paper aims at discussing the rationale for implementing posters in teaching and learning a foreign language in general, and in the military educational environment in particular. It proposes a flexible and practical approach of the discourse analysis, suitable for young learners as well asa reflection on its importance from a pedagogical perspective. The targets of this research are military students with A2 to B2 levels of English. In the context of visual narratives, posters can become effective and motivating tools able to adapt to any level, from beginner to advanced, and learners acquire military language by reading and listening to documents aimed at native speakers. It is believed that this approach will inspire new research paths on how visual materials can contribute to creating a pleasant and interactive educational environment in the military language classroom
The Development of Teams in the Context of Learning Based Organizations
Authors: Bumbuc Ştefania
Published: July 2018

In learning organizations, whether we are referring to educational institutions or to organizations from the labour market that work with information, generate and organize knowledge in different areas, teamwork has in fact become team learning. The present paper aims to analyze some classic explanatory models of the stages and non-stages type of team development, this analysis being carried out in the specific context of the learning organizations. The methodological approach belongs to the area of content analysis and synthesis, consisting in identifying and interpreting elements of theoretical models of team development that could become problematic in the context of team learning
Intraspecific Aggression: Humans and Hominids
Authors: Jobbagy Zoltan
Published: July 2018

An unwanted and long lasting consequence of the demise of the bipolar world order is the increasing number of non-state actors who constantly challenge the existing status quo. Unlike in the traditional international environment where states primarily interact with other states, the last two and a half decades witnessed states increasingly interacting with various non-state actors. These state / non-state interactions very often result in asymmetric confrontations, including asymmetric warfare. In order to better understand certain features of asymmetric warfare the author proposes a biological approach that takes advantage of recent discoveries in primate research
Behavioural and Motivational Factors of Individual’s Behaviour in Emergency Situations
Authors: Piwowarski Juliusz , Czajkowski Wojciech
Published: July 2018

In the presented research project we observed the influence of physical culture on the level of security culture, on personality, behavioural and axiological determinants of individual’s functioning in the context of physical activity under threatening conditions. We focused on testing of a group of people who were trained to act in the roles closely professionally related to security, including to hand-to-hand combat. It was assumed that their personality will develop in the direction of specific characteristics associated with security culture and display these characteristics. Considering this issue we took a securitological perspective focusing in particular on the first (of three: mental, organizational and material) dimension of security culture. In the research we referred the issue of personality and normative modifications of behaviour. We also touched on the subject of interpretation of people’s behaviour in the axiological categories which are essential for the full image of martial arts
Study on Determinations and Connections in the Social Competence of the Leader in the Military Organizational Context
Authors: Sfârlog Benoni , Constantin Daniel-Sorin
Published: July 2018

The military leader is the central pillar of the military structures whose functionalism is sustained and enhanced by the exercise of effective leadership. Explaining the role and place of the military leader in an organizational context creates prerequisites for the identification of his/her action aspects, in situations specific to the military organization at peace or during war. On this basis, it is possible to outline the sphere of competences of the military leader from the point of view of the defining features of the reference level at which the leader exercises his prerogatives. The content of the competences and the correlations established in their integrated system are the basis for operational and formative investigations and substantiation
Community, Strategic Partner of the Educational Organization in the 21ST Century
Authors: Stănică Nicoleta , Peter Liliana
Published: July 2018

This paper tries to emphasize thе impοrtanϲе of the strategic partnership bеtwееn thе ϲοmmunitу and the sϲhοοl in thе 21st ϲеnturу. Тhе sϲhοοl-familу-ϲοmmunitу partnеrship is an important issue, highlighted by various еduϲatiοnal pοliϲу dοϲumеnts at the natiοnal and international level and by the rеsеarϲh in the field of еduϲatiοn. Тhе concept of partnership has wide semantic coverage. Frοm the lеgal pοint οf viеw, partnership is defined as a legal understanding where partners define tοgеthеr the οvеrall purposes οf thе partnership. Frοm thе bеnеfits pοint οf viеw, partnеrship ϲan bе dеfinеd as an еffеϲtivе waу tο aϲhiеvе managеmеnt rеfοrm еithеr bу ϲhanging managеrial praϲtiϲеs οr bу ϲhanging thе waу publiϲ issuеs arе addrеssеd sο that thеir rеsοlutiοn bеϲοmеs feasible thrοugh partnеrship. Тhе partnеrship ϲould bе a better sοlutiοn fοr thе allοϲatiοn and usе οf lοϲal rеsοurϲеs at the Сοmmunitу lеvеl and also tο attraϲt еxtеrnal rеsοurϲеs tο sοlvе ϲοmmunitу issues. Тhе idеa οf a partnеrship bеtwееn sϲhοοl and ϲοmmunitу shοuld bе basеd οn thе prinϲiplе οf ϲοmplеmеntaritу οf sοϲial sеrviϲеs οffеrеd bу various οrganizatiοns working in thе ϲοmmunitу. Вuilding partnеrship is a dеlibеratе prοϲеss that invοlvеs spеϲifiϲ skills, strategies, and knοwlеdgе that stakеhοldеrs nееd tο knοw and usе
A Real-Time Social Media Monitoring System as an Open Source Intelligence (Osint) Platform for Early Warning in Crisis Situations
Authors: Șușnea Elena
Published: July 2018

In the past years, the number of active users on social networking websites has increased exponentially. The popularity of these websites is due to the fact that users aren't the only content consumers (e.g., news, information, entertainment), they can also generate content and collaborate with other users. In case of the occurrence of unexpected events, such as natural disasters or human atrocities, active users can react in real time by uploading or sharing comments, photos, audio and video recordings, meaning that the amount of data generated and related to the event will be huge. These immediate and dynamic reactions of the users provide insight on the severity of the event and can help identify present or potential factors which could cause the crisis situation to destabilize. The first goal of intelligence is to obtain information on the situation's awareness. In this context, a realtime social media monitoring system can provide a snapshot of the happenings around the unexpected event, therefore it can be an open source intelligence (OSINT) platform for early warning in crisis situations. Furthermore, using intelligent technology, such as data mining, the system can support decision makers to anticipate the evolution of the crisis and take preventive actions to avoid escalating the crisis
Investigation of the State of the Radiation Control Systems and the Actions of the Competent Authorities and the Population in the Event of a Change in the Radiation Background in Bulgaria
Authors: Dolchinkov Nikolay Todorov
Published: July 2018

After the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents, the monitoring of radiation at a real-time and timely publishing the information about the changes in order to inform the population has a major importance nowadays. In Bulgaria this system is working since 1997 to nowadays, and over the years it has been retrofitted twice. I made a research among 38 specialists in this field, 158 others trained to operate in a nuclear, chemical or other accident and 196 randomly selected representatives from the society. The results of my survey show the state of the radioactive background control systems and the knowledge about their working process by the specialists and also the population. The number of people that are familiar with the National Automated System for Continuous Control of the Radiochemical Background and the Radiation Population Disease Forecasting System in the Event of a Major Nuclear Accident of the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology is extremely low. The responses to the issues of coordination of the responsible authorities and agencies give us a real picture of the population's interest in the real situation of a radiation. The picture in the assessment of the coordination between the departments which announce the changing in the radiation situation on the territory of Bulgaria is similar. Most of the people who take part into the survey did not make suggestions on improving the situation, but on the other side there are also very reasonable and argumented ones. First of all, the participants indicate an increase in the population training about the real problem and conduction of such a regular and quality exercises
Exposimetric Characterization of the Near-Field of a Portable Transceiver Emitting in the Ultrahigh Frequency Range and Simulation of the Electromagnetic Power Deposited in a Ferrimagnetic Biological Tissue Present in Such a Field
Authors: Miclaus Simona , Iftode Cora , Bechet Paul
Published: July 2018

A portable radiocommunication device usually face-held during its use was chosen for characterizing its electromagnetic near-field distribution in air. Set to emit on a frequency of 440 MHz for digital voice communication with a maximum input power of 5 W, its antenna parameters were analyzed and the maps of field strengths were depicted up to distances of 20 cm from the device by using of a dual-sensor exposimeter. Since the occupational exposure safety limit for incident field levels was exceeded closer than 12 cm from the transceiver (for the magnetic field component), it became interesting to quantify the power loss in an alleged case of a brain containing also magnetite particles. Up to the present, only the electric field component was of interest when investigating biological effects of such exposures. With the new evidence from 2016, that human brain contains four orders of magnitude more magnetite nanocrystals than it was known before, a question rises in connection to the magnetic response of tissues impinged by fields with significant magnitudes and covering the hundreds of MHz frequency range. Starting from this question, we set-up a simulation in which a tissue with ferromagnetic content was mimicked for initial dosimetric computations
Algorithm to Automatically Determine the Length of a Bivalent System
Authors: Vasiliu Paul
Published: July 2018

From the point of view of reliability theory, a system can have two stable states: functioning and defect (bivalent system). Any system is a set of elements. Each element in this set can be found in one of the following states: operating state and fault condition. A subset of elements in the running state is called a system link if they only ensure the system works. The length of a bivalent system is equal to the minimum number of elements that the system holds. In this paper we present an algorithm for the automatic determination of the length of a bivalent system, a Matlab script, a case study and subsequent development directions
Innertial Forces with an Impact on the Parts of an Artillery Shell When Fired
Authors: Ivanova Galina
Published: July 2018

The present work studies the inertial forces arising during the movement of an artillery projectile when it is fired. It describes the effect of these forces on the details of an independent power source that is part of a defence product. In the course of the study, chemical sources of electricity of a new type have been constructed. They are used to study the effect of their mass on the performance of the final product
Study on the Shape and Structure of a Pouch for Battle Dress Uniform for Maps and Navigation Devices
Authors: Moro Nicolae , Virca Ioan
Published: July 2018

A pouch is a small flexible bag, typically carried in a pocket or attached to a belt in which the soldiers can store various items necessary to carry out military operations in different time, season and weather conditions. Its high storage capacity, strength and ergonomics are some of the absolutely essential features for these simple, but necessary equipment
Expression by Calculation of Correlation Between Initial Speed Losses by the Number ff Fires Shot With the 76 Mm, 1982 Model Cannon and Its Interpretation Depending on the Physical Wear by Pulling the Barrel
Authors: Popescu Stelian , Vladu Mircea , Ilie Florin
Published: July 2018

In the rifled barrels of each type of armament, the material wear of the rifled bore is closely related to the number of fires shot, this being expressed by the variation of the inner diameter of the barrel in the sections where the measurements were made and evidenced by the decreases in the initial velocity, (ΔVo) relative to the number of fires shot (N). As the number of fires shot increases, the initial velocity of the fired projectiles decreases. In the present paper, the regression equation of the initial velocity of the 76 mm, 1982 model cannon was determined and it was emphasized that the differences between the initial velocity determined by the regression calculation (Voir) and the experimentally determined initial velocity (Voi) are very small. Therefore, it can be appreciated that the law of regression of the determined initial velocity reproduces faithfully the real situation of the decrease in the initial velocity when firing with this type of cannon
Current State of Art on Development of Film-Forming Decontamination Materials
Authors: Pulpea Daniela
Published: July 2018

Chemical and radioactive contamination of surfaces can occur in a wide variety of industrial and military applications, but they can also be the consequences of an industrial accident or terrorist attack. This paper makes a comparative study of the strippable or temporary coatings developed and used in the field of chemical and radioactive decontamination. The purpose is to classify existing decontaminant film-forming substances and to determine the optimum properties for such materials.
Changes in the nest sites of White Stork(Ciconia ciconia)in Hungary
Authors: Gyalus Adrienn , Végvári Zsolt , Csörgő Tibor
Published: July 2018

The breeding strategies of the White Stork changed drastically during the past decades: a decreasing number of individuals nest on traditional nest sites – trees, roofs, chimneys, whereas electricity poles are increasingly selected. Here we analysed long-term breeding data of White Storks breeding in six Hungarian counties to detect patterns in nest site preferences in Hungary. According to our results, the shift to preference for electricity poles was shown at the same rate in every county, independently from the proportion of original nest sites. After 2000, although electricity poles dominated everywhere, the proportion of nest on poles without platform increased, despite the abundance of available empty platforms. To explain this pattern, we propose that White Storks show a preference for viewpoints, thus choosing to breed as near as possible to optimal habitats, regardless of nest site types. Therefore, conservation measures concerning the nest sites of this species should include preliminary habitat analysis.
Evolution and presence of diurnal predatory birds in the Carpathian Basin
Authors: Kessler Jenő Eugen
Published: July 2018

The author describes the presence of the oldest extinct diurnal birds of prey species in the world and fossilized representatives of different families, as well as the presence of recent species in the Carpathian Basin among fossilized remains. In case of ospreys, one of the oldest known materials is classified as a new extinct species namedPandion pannonicus. The text is supplemented by a plate and a size chart.
Environmental and Product Contamination during the Preparation of Antineoplastic Drugs with Robotic Systems
Authors: Krämer Irene , Federici Matteo , Schierl Rudolf
Published: July 2018

Background

Robotic systems are designed to minimize the exposure to antineoplastic drugs during automated preparation. However, contamination cannot be completely excluded. The aim of the study was to evaluate the contamination with antineoplastic drugs on the working surfaces and on the outer surface of the ready-to-use products (infusion bags and syringes) during automated preparation with different versions of a robot and manual preparation.

Methods

Surface contamination with platinum (Pt) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was measured by wipe sampling and quantified by voltammetry for Pt and GC-MS for 5-FU. Sampling was performed on pre-defined locations in the working areas before and after preparation of standardized test products. The outer surfaces of Pt- or 5-FU-containing infusion bags and 5-FU-containing syringes were sampled without and after manual capping.

Results

Overall, the surface contamination in the working areas of the robotic system ranged from 0.4 to 114 pg/cm2 for Pt and from 1.3 to 1,250,000 pg/cm2 for 5-FU. The highest contamination levels were detected after preparation on the gripper of the robotic arm and on the surface beneath the dosing device. In most cases, measured concentrations were higher after preparation. Outer surfaces of infusion bags prepared with the robotic system were less contaminated than manually prepared bags. Contamination on the outer surface of syringes varied depending on the procedure adopted.

Conclusions

The risk of contamination is localised inside the working area of the robot. The outer surfaces of products were only marginally contaminated. Cleaning procedures of the working area are to be further investigated. An effective decontamination procedure for the working area of the robot and automated capping of filled syringes should be developed to further minimize the occupational risk.
A Meta-Analysis of Plyometric Training in Female Youth: Its Efficacy and Shortcomings in the Literature
Authors: Moran Jason , Clark Cain C.T. , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Davies Michael J. , Drury Benjamin
Published: July 2018

Moran, J, Clark, CCT, Ramirez-Campillo, R, Davies, MJ, and Drury, B. A meta-analysis of plyometric training in female youth: its efficacy and shortcomings in the literature. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1996–2008, 2019—This meta-analysis characterized female youths' adaptability to plyometric training (PT). A second objective was to highlight the limitations of the body of literature with a view to informing future research. Fourteen studies were included in the final analysis. The effect size (ES = Hedges' g) for the main effect of vertical jump performance was “small” (ES = 0.57, 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.93). Effect sizes were larger in younger (<15 years; ES = 0.78 [0.25–1.30] vs. 0.31 [−0.18 to 0.80]), shorter (<163 cm; ES = 1.03 [0.38–1.68] vs. 0.25 [−0.20 to 0.70]), and lighter (<54 kg; ES = 1.14 [0.39–1.89] vs. 0.26 [−0.15 to 0.67]) participants. Programming variables seemed to influence adaptive responses with larger effects in interventions which were longer (8 weeks; ES = 1.04 [0.35–1.72] vs. 0.24 [−0.11 to 0.59]), had greater weekly training frequency (>2; ES = 1.22 [0.18–2.25] vs. 0.37 [0.02–0.71]), and whose sessions were of longer duration (≥30 minutes ES = 1.16 [0.14–2.17] vs. 0.33 [0.03–0.63]). More than 16 sessions per program (0.85 [0.18–1.51]) was more effective than exactly 16 sessions (0.46 [0.08–0.84]) which, in turn, was more effective than less than 16 (0.37 [−0.44 to 1.17]). These findings can inform the prescription of PT in female youth.
Achondroplasia with SRY-positive 46, XX disorder of sex development: an extremely rare association
Authors: Du Yang Timothy , Rutter Angus , Ho Jui T
Published: July 2018

A 40-year-old man with achondroplasia presented with symptoms of hypogonadism, low libido and gynaecomastia. He was found to have hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, and karyotype and fluorescent in situ hybridisation analysis showed SRY-positive 46, XX disorder of sex development (DSD). He was tested to have the common activating mutation of the FGFR3 gene implicated in achondroplasia, indicating that he had the two rare conditions independently, with an extremely low incidence of 1 in 400 million. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the first report of an individual having these two rare conditions concurrently. This case highlights that individuals with achondroplasia should have normal sexual development, and in those presenting with incomplete sexual maturation or symptoms of hypogonadism should prompt further evaluation. We also propose a plausible link between achondroplasia and 46, XX DSD through the intricate interactions between the SRY, SOX9 and FGFR9 gene pathways.

Learning points:

The SOX9 and FGF9 genes, which are upregulated by the SRY gene, are important in both sex determination in the embryo, as well as endochondral bone growth.

Patients with achondroplasia should have normal sexual development and function in the absence of other confounding factors.

Patients with achondroplasia who present with symptoms and signs of abnormal sexual development and/or hypogonadism should be appropriately investigated for other causes.
An unusual case of shortness of breath
Authors: Wan Muhammad Hatta S F , Kandaswamy L , Gherman-Ciolac C , Mann J , Buch H N
Published: July 2018

Myopathy is a well-known complication of hypercortisolism and commonly involves proximal lower-limb girdle. We report a rare case of Cushing’s syndrome in a 60-year-old female presenting with significant respiratory muscle weakness and respiratory failure. She had history of rheumatoid arthritis, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary hypothyroidism and presented with weight gain and increasing shortness of breath. Investigations confirmed a restrictive defect with impaired gas transfer but with no significant parenchymatous pulmonary disease. Respiratory muscle test confirmed weakness of respiratory muscles and diaphragm. Biochemical and radiological investigations confirmed hypercortisolaemia secondary to a left adrenal tumour. Following adrenalectomy her respiratory symptoms improved along with an objective improvement in the respiratory muscle strength, diaphragmatic movement and pulmonary function test.

Learning points:

Cushing’s syndrome can present in many ways, a high index of suspicion is required for its diagnosis, as often patients present with only few of the pathognomonic symptoms and signs of the syndrome.

Proximal lower-limb girdle myopathy is common in Cushing’s syndrome. Less often long-term exposure of excess glucocorticoid production can also affect other muscles including respiratory muscle and the diaphragm leading to progressive shortness of breath and even acute respiratory failure.

Treatment of Cushing’s myopathy involves treating the underlying cause that is hypercortisolism. Various medications have been suggested to hinder the development of GC-induced myopathy, but their effects are poorly analysed.
Medios de comunicación y conflicto: cierre del diario ecuatoriano Hoy
Authors: Casado Gutiérrez Fernando , Sánchez Figuera Rebeca Orsirys
Published: July 2018

En los procesos de inclusión, jerarquización de noticias y selección de enfoques, los medios de comunicación generan una serie de conflictos con otros actores de la política. El presente trabajo estudia la relación entre la desaparición del diario Hoyen Ecuador y su participación en el conflicto gobierno-medios que caracterizó la era del expresidente Correa. De forma inédita se consulta a los diversos actores involucrados, entre ellos el ex director del diario, Jaime Mantilla, periodistas y demás trabajadores, mediante entrevistas semi-estructuradas y no estructuradas, con el propósito de trascender las miradas polarizadas y entablar un diálogo crítico entre los diversos testimonios.
Representaciones de la periferia: el caso de Ecatepec de Morelos, Estado de México
Authors: Monroy Sánchez Grecia
Published: July 2018

A partir de la pregunta sobre cómo son representadas las periferias urbanas actualmente, en este trabajo se estudia el caso de una de ellas en específico, el municipio de Ecatepec de Morelos, en el Estado de México, México. En la primera parte del trabajo se exponen brevemente algunas consideraciones al respecto de los problemas que plantea la representación de las periferias urbanas y de algunos conceptos que arrojan luz sobre esto mismo. En la segunda parte, se procede a exponer los problemas concretos de representación que presenta una zona como Ecatepec de Morelos. Finalmente, en la tercera parte, se analizan y exponen cuatro diferentes casos de representaciones que desafían y hacen propuestas originales a la cuestión de la representación de una periferia urbana como Ecatepec de Morelos.
Identidad, desarrollo y otredad en el posdrama latinoamericano andino
Authors: Orosa Roldán Miguel Angel
Published: July 2018

En este estudio se analiza el desarrollo de la identidad del teatro en Latinoamérica Andina frente a la otredad impuesta por culturas foráneas, y de manera particular España, que por utilizar una misma lengua pudiera ejercer algún tipo de influencia “no deseable” sobre la cosmovisión posdramática en América Latina, más aún cuando el pasado de ambas miradas de carácter teatral procede de un mismo tronco. Utilizaremos esa otredad como metodología de análisis, el orden del caos y sus sucesivas categorías, atendiendo a las variables del sentido y a los patrones del vacío, del absurdo. Se propone que el origen del teatro en lengua española tiene un nacimiento y un tronco distintos al grecolatino y para ello se hace un breve estudio de El Auto de los Reyes Magos. Para finalizar, se entra en la disección de algunas notas y características propias del teatro andino en tierras latinoamericanas a partir de varias obras procedentes del Ecuador, Bolivia y Perú.
Concordancia entre los cursos iniciales de matemática a nivel universitario y el programa de estudios preuniversitario: Una mirada desde los contenidos y el rendimiento académico universitario
Authors: Castillo-Sánchez Mario , Gamboa-Araya Ronny , Hidalgo-Mora Randall
Published: July 2018

En este artículo se reportan datos sobre el rendimiento académico en los cursos iniciales de matemática, a nivel universitario, que imparte Escuela de Matemática en la Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica y la concordancia entre los contenidos de estos y el programa de estudios preuniversitario que se desarrolla en la educación secundaria. La información se recabó por medio del análisis de las actas de notas de los cursos iniciales en el área, para todas las carreras en el periodo 2011-2016, los programas de los cursos ofertados y el programa de estudios de matemática para la educación secundaria. Lo anterior con el fin de determinar el rendimiento académico y realizar comparaciones entre los cursos iniciales de matemática a nivel universitario y el programa de estudios de secundaria, con el fin de generar argumentos para incentivar una revisión y actualización de los programas de los cursos y generar recomendaciones al respecto. Los resultados muestran que en la mayoría de los cursos iniciales del área a nivel universitario se presentan altos porcentajes de reprobación y deserción, existen diferencias entre los contenidos que el alumnado estudia en secundaria y los que se consideran como repaso o base en los cursos iniciales del área que oferta la Universidad Nacional, por lo que el conocimiento previo es un hecho que ha resultado relevante. Además, los datos recolectados respecto a contenidos y algunos aspectos sobre metodología y evaluación, ofrecen indicadores que permiten señalar importantes diferencias en la forma en que se abordan los contenidos matemáticos en ambos niveles. Esto implica que se debe realizar un análisis respecto a la temática de dichos cursos y crear estrategias para garantizar un conocimiento mínimo en el estudiantado para el estudio de las temáticas a nivel universitario.
Resolución de problemas en la enseñanza del cálculo diferencial e integral en una variable: Perspectiva de los docentes de matemática
Authors: Alfaro-Carvajal Cristian , Fonseca-Castro Jennifer
Published: July 2018

Las líneas de investigaciones en resolución de problemas en la enseñanza de las matemáticas son muchas y con similitudes y discrepancias entre sí. En particular, lo que se entiende por resolución de problemas presenta diferencias entre la teoría y la práctica. En la enseñanza de la matemática superior, el cálculo diferencial e integral en una variable es un área rica para el uso de la resolución de problemas por sus contenidos y la cantidad de carreras universitarias que la incluyen en sus planes de estudios. Por esto se quiso indagar sobre el uso que le dan docentes de matemática a la resolución de problemas en la enseñanza del cálculo diferencial e integral en una variable. Para esto se aplicó un cuestionario a docentes con experiencia en la enseñanza del cálculo diferencial e integral en una variable de la Universidad de Costa Rica, la Universidad Nacional, el Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica y la Universidad Estatal a Distancia. Los resultados revelan contradicciones entre las concepciones de docentes sobre lo que es un problema matemático y su implementación en el aula.
Pediatricians and Global Health: Opportunities and Considerations for Meaningful Engagement
Authors: Arora Gitanjli , Esmaili Emily , Pitt Michael B. , Green Andrea , Umphrey Lisa , Butteris Sabrina M. , St Clair Nicole E. , Batra Maneesh , O’Callahan Cliff ,   on behalf of the Global Health Task Force of the American Board of Pediatrics
Published: July 2018

Pediatric practitioners whose expertise is primarily focused on the care of children within health settings in the United States are increasingly engaged in global child health (GCH). The wide spectrum of this involvement may include incorporating short-term or longer-term GCH commitments in clinical care, teaching and training, mentoring, collaborative research, health policy, and advocacy into a pediatric career. We provide an overview of routes of engagement, identify resources, and describe important considerations for and challenges to better equipping US pediatric practitioners to participate in meaningful GCH experiences. This article is part of a series on GCH describing critical issues relevant to caring for children from an international perspective.