bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
European Environment, Social, and Governance Norms and Decent Work: Seeking a Consensus in the Literature
Authors: Dziewulska Agnieszka , Lewis Colin W. P.
Published: October 2023

Decent Work is considered essential to the facilitation of a transition to greener, fairer, more prosperous, and more just societies. Decent Work represents a fundamental component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a crucial facet of European Union (EU) environment, social, and governance (ESG) norms. Despite its prominence, the precise definition and materiality of Decent Work is obscure and remains subject to limited consensus. To understand these critical gaps, we conducted a comprehensive review with a systematic search of the literature on the subject, encompassing both scientific research and institutional publications. Our review encompassed 517 papers, with a particular focus on three key areas: (1) delineating the constituents of Decent Work, (2) exploring the materiality of Decent Work, and (3) examining how firms value, measure, and report Decent Work. The domain of regulated reporting for Decent Work and its material impact is relatively nascent, resulting in limitations in effectively measuring its tangible, material effects towards a green and just transition. Consequently, our review, with a systematic search of the literature, uncovered notable gaps within the body of literature concerning Decent Work, its substance for ESG materiality regulations, and its conspicuousness for a just transition. Furthermore, our review serves as a critical foundation for fostering discussions and emphasises the practical implications of enumerating the materiality of Decent Work, without which a just transition would be unattainable. By highlighting these deficiencies, we aim to enhance the understanding and implementation of the materiality of Decent Work within the broader context of ESG and the green transition.
Enriching Cultural Heritage through the Integration of Art and Digital Technologies
Authors: Mantzou Polyxeni , Bitsikas Xenofon , Floros Anastasios
Published: October 2023

Digital technologies are reshaping traditional static urban typologies, as the museum, urging a rethinking of how Cultural Heritage (CH) is experienced. The work presents the PALIMPSEST Project, an Interreg V-A Greece–Italy funded project, which proposes a dynamic, interactive, participatory, and personalized museum experience in the urban context of Ioannina, Greece, establishing an open-air, immaterial, immersive museum route in the city. The project’s innovative approach involved three methodological stages. In the first stage, a collection of past stories of the city was achieved through transgenerational collaboration of students and older generations. In the second stage, the collected material was organized to create an interactive mobile app, allowing users to access existing and add new stories, fostering bottom-up development. In the last stage, a museum experience was built around interactive installations from selected stories through co-creation processes and dispersed throughout the city’s public space, activated by the visitors via the app. PALIMPSEST established a hybrid, open-air museum route, connecting the ICH with the urban landscape, and creating personalized and unexpected experiences of the city. The project offers a novel way to reconceptualize the museum by integrating digital technologies, arts, storytelling, and active participation, bringing the museum into the open urban space.
Sibling Violence and Position in Sibling Dyad in a Sample of Adolescents: How Does It Relate to Self-Esteem?
Authors: Mota Catarina Pinheiro , Sousa Joana Rita , Relva Inês Carvalho
Published: October 2023

(1) Background: Research regarding sibling violence is still scarce, although it is the most common type of intrafamily violence. Every sibling’s position in the sibling dyad seems to influence this type of violent conduct since every status has its characteristics. Siblings involved in aggressive behavior seem to be described as having low self-esteem. This study intends to test the predictive effect of self-esteem, sibling position and sex on sibling violence development. (2) Method: The sample consists of 286 students, aged between 12 and 17 years, from both sexes. A social demographic questionnaire and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales—the Portuguese Sibling Version (CTS2-SP) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used for data collection. (3) Results: The results show an association between self-esteem in sibling violence, as well as an association between sibling position on negotiation and sexual coercion’s perpetration and victimization. Sex also predicts the negotiation of psychological aggression’s perpetration and psychological and physical aggression’s victimization. (4) Discussion: the results will be discussed according to the attachment theory, considering the importance of affective bonds with siblings as adaptive development facilitators.
Effects of the New COVID-19-Induced Rule on Substitutions and Performance in Italian Elite Soccer
Authors: Ruscello Bruno , Tozzi Matteo , Apollaro Gennaro , Grossi Alberto , Morganti Gabriele , Esposito Mario , Pantanella Laura , Messina Giuseppe , Padua Elvira
Published: October 2023

COVID-19 has resulted in widespread changes, including within the realm of sports. Professional soccer has adapted by allowing more substitutions, leading to tactical adjustments and potential physical benefits. Accordingly, this study analyzed the impact of the new rule in Italian top-level soccer, focusing on substitution patterns and performance differences between the pre-COVID (2017–2018, 2018–2019 seasons) and post COVID (2020–2021, 2021–2022 seasons) eras. As such, publicly available data from 1520 matches (760 matches per era) were recorded. The sample included matches played from 40 Italian top division teams in both the pre- and post-COVID eras. Analyses confirmed substitutions follow a consistent temporal pattern throughout the match in both eras, highlighting a slight difference in second-half management, and showed the new rule is still not used to its full potential, thus raising concerns about teams’ financial strength, as not all managers possess “deep benches” (i.e., a large number of top-level players available to play). Further analyses revealed a statistically significant increment (p = 0.002) in the quantity of collectively produced sprints in the post-COVID era compared to the pre-COVID one. The results from this study emphasize the need to carefully address sprint preparation and repeated sprint abilities, also considering factors such as the number of substitutes and their skill level.
Implementation Aspects in Invariance Alignment
Authors: Robitzsch Alexander
Published: October 2023

In social sciences, multiple groups, such as countries, are frequently compared regarding a construct that is assessed using a number of items administered in a questionnaire. The corresponding scale is assessed with a unidimensional factor model involving a latent factor variable. To enable a comparison of the mean and standard deviation of the factor variable across groups, identification constraints on item intercepts and factor loadings must be imposed. Invariance alignment (IA) provides such a group comparison in the presence of partial invariance (i.e., a minority of item intercepts and factor loadings are allowed to differ across groups). IA is a linking procedure that separately fits a factor model in each group in the first step. In the second step, a linking of estimated item intercepts and factor loadings is conducted using a robust loss function L0.5. The present article discusses implementation alternatives in IA. It compares the default L0.5 loss function with Lp with other values of the power p between 0 and 1. Moreover, the nondifferentiable Lp loss functions are replaced with differentiable approximations in the estimation of IA that depend on a tuning parameter ε (such as, e.g., ε=0.01). The consequences of choosing different values of ε are discussed. Moreover, this article proposes the L0 loss function with a differentiable approximation for IA. Finally, it is demonstrated that the default linking function in IA introduces bias in estimated means and standard deviations if there is noninvariance in factor loadings. Therefore, an alternative linking function based on logarithmized factor loadings is examined for estimating factor means and standard deviations. The implementation alternatives are compared through three simulation studies. It turned out that the linking function for factor loadings in IA should be replaced by the alternative involving logarithmized factor loadings. Furthermore, the default L0.5 loss function is inferior to the newly proposed L0 loss function regarding the bias and root mean square error of factor means and standard deviations.
Direct Tax Burden, Financing Constraints, and Innovation-Based Output
Authors: Lu Yu , Zhao Yaqi , Li Yuhan , Cao Yuhe
Published: October 2023

Tax and fee reductions serve as pivotal instruments in the deepening of structural reforms on the supply side and constitute a significant element of China’s proactive fiscal policy. Although China’s tax regime encompasses both direct and indirect tax burdens, the direct tax burden directly impacts the operational costs of firms and remains non-transferable. As such, it holds significant influence over corporate growth trajectories. A decrease in the direct tax burden alleviates financing constraints for firms, subsequently reducing their exposure to business risks. Focusing on the innovative output capabilities of firms, this study analyzes A-share-listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2021. It aims to ascertain the influence of direct tax burden reductions on innovation output within the tax and fee reduction framework. The findings indicate that lessening the direct tax burden ameliorates financing constraints, thereby enhancing a firm’s innovative output capabilities. A deeper analysis reveals that non-state-owned enterprises benefit more significantly from this dynamic than their state-owned counterparts, underscoring the potential for targeted tax and fee reduction policies to bolster enterprise innovation. Furthermore, the government should recognize enterprise differentiation and drive broader economic growth through tailored strategies. Notably, the positive impact of mitigating financing constraints on innovation is more pronounced in firms with suboptimal corporate governance structures. While this mechanism notably influences non-invention patent applications, its effect on invention patent applications is comparatively muted. Post-outbreak, the interplay between tax burdens and innovative outputs has intensified, becoming more pronounced than in pre-outbreak times.
The Sustainability Study Done for a Consolidation Work on a Historical Building
Authors: Tudorica Mircea Raul , Toadere Mihaela Teodora , Bob Corneliu Ioan
Published: October 2023

A very important problem encountered all over the world and increasingly widespread is represented by sustainability. The construction field is responsible for a high environmental impact, for the entire duration of a building’s operation, from the construction stage until its demolition. This paper presents a sustainability study, performed on an old historical building located in Romania—Arad County, which implied the consolidation of its resistance structure as a result of visible degradation. The study was performed using the Bob–Dencsak Calculation Model, which involved research into several specific parameters for each dimension separately (ecological, economic and social). Besides establishing the sustainability class for the consolidated building, an analysis was done on the impact that metal has as compared to reinforced concrete, thus resulting in the finding that metal is less sustainable than reinforced concrete, achieving growths of up to 42% for embodied energy and 28.50% of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for future sustainability assessment research with the aim of increasing the quality of life and minimizing the negative impact on the environment with minimal costs.
Air Pollution Governance and Residents’ Happiness: Evidence of Blue Sky Defense in China
Authors: Zhu Jie , Lu Chuntian , Song Anrui
Published: October 2023

Enhancing people’s happiness should be the standard of public policies. With the growing prominence of air pollution issues, governments and scholars have started to pay attention to happiness as it relates to air pollution. However, the relevant research has been limited in China, and the results are not clear, with little attention given to subjective perception related to air pollution. In recent years, China has strengthened its efforts in containing air pollution, striving to fulfill the people’s longing for a blue sky. In this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of pollution governance on residents’ happiness, considering both objective and subjective aspects. Using the Chinese General Social Survey and data on PM10, our study was diachronic in nature, analyzing residents’ happiness and the improvement in air quality as well as people’s evaluation of governance concerning pollution. The statistical methods used primarily included t-tests and multiple linear regression. The results showed the following: (1) Residents’ happiness showed a significant improvement from 2013 to 2021, accompanied by enhancements in both an objective improvement in air quality and subjective evaluation of pollution governance. (2) Both an objective improvement in air quality and the subjective evaluation of pollution governance showed positive effects on residents’ happiness. This study not only enriches the theoretical understanding of the relationship between air pollution and happiness but also provides valuable insights for formulating policies that are more conducive to pollution governance and public happiness. To enhance happiness, the government needs to continue improving the air quality and guide residents in appropriately evaluating pollution governance.
Field Studies on Expansive Soil Stabilization with Nanomaterials and Lime for Flexible Pavement
Authors: Pokkunuri Guru Raju , Sinha Rabindra Kumar , Verma Amit K.
Published: October 2023

The long-term performance of pavement is greatly influenced by the subgrade soil-bearing capacity. The areas with lower bearing capability experience higher construction costs due to soil replacement. Soil stabilization is one of the engineering measures that may be used to improve soil properties. The improvement in the soil properties varies depending on the soil type and type and dosage of the stabilizer. The primary objective of this study is to determine the impact of the different types of stabilizers on different types of black cotton soil. In the present study, black cotton soil was treated with Terrasil (0.5, 0.75, and 1 kg/m3), Zycobond (0.5, 0.75, and 1 kg/m3), and lime (0, 2, and 3%). The influence of varying dosages of Terrasil, Zycobond, and lime showed a significant improvement in the FSI, CBR, and UCS. In this study, attempts were made to investigate the field performance of chemically treated black cotton soil. A 100 m trail section with chemical- and lime-treated subgrade was constructed and analyzed using the dynamic cone penetration test. Finally, the mechanical design indicated that the chemical stabilization layer could be helpful to reduce asphalt layer thickness by 30 mm and cost. It is anticipated that this study will be useful to perceive, visualize, and understand the advantages of chemically treated black cotton soil. Overall, it is a step toward sustainable construction, which will reduce the demand for natural materials by optimizing pavement design and the use of existing unsuitable materials (black cotton soil) in flexible pavement construction.
Exploring Carbohydrate Concentration Fluctuations in Pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv Uzun) for Deeper Insights into Alternate Bearing Patterns
Authors: Guney Mujgan , Gundesli Muhammet Ali , Guney Murat , Kafkas Salih , Kafkas Nesibe Ebru
Published: October 2023

Alternate bearing (AB) is of great importance in horticulture and leads to fluctuations in yield variation. Although AB is a natural phenomenon to optimize resource allocation and improve crop productivity and profitability in plants, understanding the factors that influence AB can help in implementing effective management strategies to reduce the negative effects and promote consistent and sustainable production. This study aimed to investigate the variation in carbohydrate levels in various tissues of both bearing and non-bearing pistachio (Pistacia vera L. cv Uzun) trees during different periods of growth development in two consecutive years to gain a deeper understanding of their potential contribution to AB. Twelve 34-year-old pistachio trees, consisting of six “ON” and six “OFF” year trees, were accidentally selected from a pistachio orchard. The “OFF” year trees were induced two years before sampling to be in the “OFF” year state by artificially removing flower buds. Sucrose was the main soluble sugar in the different parts of the pistachio tree studied. In general, the amount of sugar was higher in the non-bearing year than in the bearing year. It was found that non-structural carbohydrates of trees decreased between June and July, resulting in flower buds to abscise. The amount of carbohydrates decreased during nut development in “ON” trees, indicating the possible role of carbohydrates in AB.
Early Insolvency Prediction as a Key for Sustainable Business Growth
Authors: Kušter Denis , Vuković Bojana , Milutinović Sunčica , Peštović Kristina , Tica Teodora , Jakšić Dejan
Published: October 2023

This research aimed to determine whether and how financial analysis combined with machine learning can support decision-making for sustainable business growth. This study was conducted using a sample of 100 Serbian companies whose bankruptcies were initiated between 2019 and 2021 to identify key factors that distinguish solvent from insolvent companies. Two neural networks (NNs) were trained and tested to predict these discriminating factors one year (Y-1) and two years (Y-2) before bankruptcy initiation. Initially, a total of 37 predictor variables were included, but prior to modeling, variable reduction was performed through VIF analysis and t-tests. The training dataset comprised 70% of the sample, while the remaining 30% was used for testing. Both NNs utilized a softmax activation function for the output layer and a hyperbolic tangent for the hidden layers. Two hidden layers were included, and training was conducted over 2000 epochs using the gradient descent algorithm for optimization. The research results indicate that poor cash management is the first sign of possible insolvency one year in advance. Additionally, the findings reveal that retained earnings management can serve as a reliable bankruptcy predictor two years in advance. The overall predictive accuracy of the NN models is 80.0% (Y-1) and 73.3% (Y-2) for the testing dataset. These findings demonstrate how selected ratios can support bankruptcy prediction, providing valuable insights for company proprietors, management, and external stakeholders.
Implementation of Biosphere Reserves in Poland–Problems of the Polish Law and Nature Legacy
Authors: Raszka Beata , Hełdak Maria
Published: October 2023

The article addresses the issue of the management and functioning of biosphere reserves (BRs) in Poland. The hypothesis was raised that BRs in Poland are virtual rather than real entities. The study examined how the existence of BRs is reflected in Polish strategic and planning documents. The study examined documents from 1947 to 2022, i.e., Polish legal acts (archived and current), the national Strategy for Responsible Development, voivodeship strategies, and national park protection plans. It evaluated to what extent the biosphere reserves fulfil their role in Poland, as defined by the Man and Biosphere program. To verify the research questions, legal documents (laws and regulations) enacted by the Polish authorities, strategies, and planning documents created at the central and voivodeship levels, protection plans for nature conservation forms covering biosphere reserves, economic plans of entities managing biosphere reserves, and other documents were analyzed. It was shown that: (1) BRs do not have a legal basis in Polish legislation at the national level, despite Poland’s ratification of the Man and Biosphere program, (2) there is a lack of detailed information about BRs in national and voivodeship strategic documents (development strategies and spatial development plans for voivodeships), (3) the existence of biosphere reserves does not translate into spatial planning principles at the local level (municipalities), (4) there is no legal possibility to separate tasks related to biosphere reserves in nature conservation protection plans (national parks, nature reserves, and landscape parks), (5) in the case of transboundary BRs, the Inspection carried out in the Carpathians International Biosphere Reserve (Poland-Ukraine-Slovakia) showed only formal cooperation, not practical. In conclusion, the management of BRs and the implementation of tasks contained in the MaB program, particularly those related to sustainable development of the environment, society, and economy, are ineffective due to the lack of legal authorization in Poland.
The Impact of a De Facto CEO on Environmental, Social, and Governance Activities and Firm Value: Evidence from Korea
Authors: Baek Kil-Joo , Yeo Young-Jun
Published: October 2023

This study analyzes the influence of CEO types on corporate governance, focusing on de facto (substantial) CEOs. We examine how substantial CEOs impact environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities (Hypothesis 1) and corporate value (Hypothesis 2). Data were collected from KIS-VALUE and DART (Electronic Disclosure System) from the Financial Supervisory Service, defining substantial CEOs as the highest remuneration recipients who exceed the pay of the company’s representative director. The results support Hypothesis 1, showing that companies with substantial CEOs are more likely to engage in ESG activities, potentially to improve public image while concealing self-serving behaviors. Hypothesis 2 is validated, indicating lower corporate value in companies with substantial CEOs, owing to the prioritization of personal interests over long-term profit maximization. Despite the limitations of exploring governance relationships beyond remuneration data, this study offers key contributions. It expands the research on corporate governance and ESG activities by identifying substantial CEOs through objective remuneration data. Additionally, it highlights the importance of an independent board for transparent governance and positive corporate value. Lastly, the empirical evidence shows the negative impact of misdirected ESG activities on corporate value. Using remuneration as an indicator, this study illuminates substantial CEOs’ influences on corporate value and ESG activities, providing insights for future research in this area.
Evaluating the Influence of Hydrophobic Nano-Silica on Cement Mixtures for Corrosion-Resistant Concrete in Green Building and Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Alvansazyazdi Mohammadfarid , Alvarez-Rea Fabricio , Pinto-Montoya Jhon , Khorami Majid , Bonilla-Valladares Pablo M. , Debut Alexis , Feizbahr Mahdi
Published: October 2023

The use of hydrophobic nano-silica particles in concrete for improved corrosion resistance and durability has been explored in recent years, and its potential impact on sustainable urban development and green building practices has been studied. The impact of substituting hydrophobic nano-silica particles for 2% of the cement weight in high-strength concrete mixes was investigated in this research. The study focuses on evaluating the physical-mechanical properties, including compressive strength, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and Poisson’s ratio. Additionally, the influence of these mixes on corrosion resistance is examined. The concrete designs feature a high strength of 42 MPa, and the hydrophilic nano-silica particles undergo functionalization processes to obtain hydrophobic properties. Contact angle measurements and water absorption tests confirm the hydrophobicity of the material. Physical, electrochemical, and electrical tests were conducted to determine the corrosion resistance contribution of the nano-silica particles when substituted at 2% of the cement weight. The research findings reveal that concrete containing nano-silica particles demonstrates improved physical-mechanical properties compared to other mixes. Incorporating nano-silica enhances concrete by accelerating hydration, increasing early-age strength, and providing hydrophobicity, resulting in improved physical-mechanical properties over other mixes. However, it was observed that the addition of hydrophobic and non-hydrophobic nano-silica tends to reduce corrosion resistance compared to concrete without these particles, despite exhibiting greater compactness. This suggests a direct influence of nano-silica on the corrosion phenomenon.
The Impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Investment in Real Estate Corporations Based on Sustainable Development: The Mediating Role of House Prices
Authors: Qu Yuanyuan , Md Kassim Aza Azlina
Published: October 2023

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the global economy has undergone profound changes, and China’s real estate market has experienced dramatic turbulence. In order to stabilise the national economy during the epidemic, China’s macro-controls on the real estate industry have become more frequent. These regulatory policies have kept the uncertainty in China’s economic policies at a high level for almost two years. Therefore, in order to further regulate the real estate market and thus establish a sustainable macro-control mechanism, the purpose of this study is to provide the necessary practical research and policy basis for the real estate market by exploring how economic policy uncertainty and house prices affect the level of corporate investment in real estate development. Based on the theory of real options, financial friction theory and real estate characteristics theory, this paper studies the relationship between economic policy uncertainty and the investment level of real estate developers and further explores the mediating role of house prices. This paper selects the panel data of Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share real estate listed companies in the CSMR database from the first quarter of 2012 to the fourth quarter of 2022 and uses the fixed-effects regression method to identify the following conclusions. Firstly, stronger economic policy uncertainty promotes the investment level of real estate corporations; secondly, the fluctuation of house prices plays a mediating role in the positive effect of economic policy uncertainty on the investment of real estate corporations.
Evaluation of Gold Complexes to Address Bacterial Resistance, Quorum Sensing, Biofilm Formation, and Their Antiviral Properties against Bacteriophages
Authors: Marques Ana , Carabineiro Sónia A. C. , Aureliano Manuel , Faleiro Leonor
Published: October 2023

The worldwide increase in antibiotic resistance poses a significant challenge, and researchers are diligently seeking new drugs to combat infections and prevent bacterial pathogens from developing resistance. Gold (I and III) complexes are suitable for this purpose. In this study, we tested four gold (I and III) complexes, (1) chlorotrimethylphosphine gold(I); (2) chlorotriphenylphosphine gold(I); (3) dichloro(2-pyridinecarboxylate) gold (III); and (4) 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazole-2-ylidene gold(I) chloride, for their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antiviral, and anti-quorum sensing activities. Results reveal that 1 significantly inhibits Escherichia coli DSM 1077 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, while 2, 3, and 4 only inhibit S. aureus ATCC 6538. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 for S. aureus ATCC 6538 is 0.59 μg/mL (1.91 μM), and for methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains MRSA 12 and MRSA 15, it is 1.16 μg/mL (3.75 μM). For E. coli DSM 1077 (Gram-negative), the MIC is 4.63 μg/mL (15 μM), and for multi-resistant E. coli I731940778-1, it is 9.25 μg/mL (30 μM). Complex 1 also disrupts biofilm formation in E. coli and S. aureus after 6 h or 24 h exposure. Moreover, 1 and 2 inhibit the replication of two enterobacteria phages. Anti-quorum sensing potential still requires further clarification. These findings highlight the potential of gold complexes as effective agents to combat bacterial and viral infections.
Unraveling the Nrf2-ARE Signaling Pathway in the DF-1 Chicken Fibroblast Cell Line: Insights into T-2 Toxin-Induced Oxidative Stress Regulation
Authors: Gao Suisui , Wang Kaixin , Xiong Kuankuan , Xiao Shuai , Wu Chujian , Zhou Mingxia , Li Linfeng , Yuan Guoxiang , Jiang Lihuang , Xiong Qianbo , Yang Lingchen
Published: October 2023

The T-2 toxin (T2) poses a major threat to the health and productivity of animals. The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism of Nrf2 derived from broilers against T2-induced oxidative damage. DF-1 cells, including those with normal characteristics, as well as those overexpressing or with a knockout of specific components, were exposed to a 24 h treatment of 50 nM T2. The primary objective was to evaluate the indicators associated with oxidative stress and the expression of downstream antioxidant factors regulated by the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, at both the mRNA and protein levels. The findings of this study demonstrated a noteworthy relationship between the up-regulation of the Nrf2 protein and a considerable reduction in the oxidative stress levels within DF-1 cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, this up-regulation was associated with a notable increase in the mRNA and protein levels of antioxidant factors downstream of the Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway (p < 0.05). Conversely, the down-regulation of the Nrf2 protein was linked to a marked elevation in oxidative stress levels in DF-1 cells (p < 0.05). Additionally, this down-regulation resulted in a significant decrease in both the mRNA and protein expression of antioxidant factors (p < 0.05). This experiment lays a theoretical foundation for investigating the detrimental impacts of T2 on broiler chickens. It also establishes a research framework for employing the Nrf2 protein in broiler chicken production and breeding. Moreover, it introduces novel insights for the prospective management of oxidative stress-related ailments in the livestock and poultry industry.
Cluster Analysis of Factors Associated with Leishmaniasis in Peru
Authors: Yupari-Azabache Irma Luz , Díaz-Ortega Jorge Luis , Bardales-Aguirre Lucía Beatriz , Barros-Sevillano Shamir , Paredes-Díaz Susana Edita
Published: October 2023

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with leishmaniasis in Peru, according to the cluster classification in the period 2017–2021. Methods: Quantitative approach, with an ecological, descriptive correlational, and cross-sectional design. The population was from the geographical region of Peru, where a total of 26,956 cases of leishmaniasis were registered by the Peruvian Ministry of Health from 2017 to 2021. Spearman’s Rho statistic was used to analyze the variables that are most associated with the cases of leishmaniasis reported per year, and, in addition, the multivariate technique of cluster analysis was applied. Results: Annual rainfall and areas with humid forest (climatic factors) and mortality from transmissible diseases (health factor) are directly associated with reported cases of leishmaniasis. Households with basic access to infrastructure, drinking water, drainage, and electric lighting; illiteracy, regional social progress, and unsatisfied basic needs (social factors); and percentage of urban population (demographic factor) are inversely and significantly associated with cases of leishmaniasis. Conclusions: Climatic and environmental factors contribute to the multiplication of the leishmaniasis disease vector. The incidence of leishmaniasis adds up to the mortality rates for transmissible diseases in Peru. As living conditions improve, the incidence of this pathology decreases.
Quality of Data Recording and Antimicrobial Use in a Municipal Veterinary Clinic in Ghana
Authors: Kubasari Cletus , Adeapena Wisdom , Najjemba Robinah , Hedidor George Kwesi , Adjei Raymond Lovelace , Manu Grace , Timire Collins , Afari-Asiedu Samuel , Asante Kwaku Poku
Published: October 2023

The recording of antimicrobial use data is critical for the development of interventions for the containment of antimicrobial resistance. This cross-sectional study assessed whether dissemination activities and recommendations made after an operational research (OR) study in 2021 resulted in better data recording and improved the use of antimicrobials in a rural veterinary clinic. Routinely collected data from treatment record books were compared between 2013 and 2019 (pre-OR) and from July 2021 to April 2023 (post-OR). The most common animals presenting for care in the the pre – and post OR periods were dogs (369 and 206, respectively). Overall, antimicrobial use in animals increased from 53% to 77% between the two periods. Tetracycline was the most commonly used antimicrobial (99%) during the pre-OR period, while Penicillin-Streptomycin was the most commonly used antimicrobial (65%) during the post-OR period. All animals that received care at the clinic were documented in the register during both periods. Whereas the diagnosis was documented in 269 (90%) animals in the post-OR period compared to 242 (47%) in the pre-OR period, the routes and dosages were not adequately recorded during the both periods. Therefore, the quality of data recording was still deficient despite the dissemination and the recommendations made to some key stakeholders. Recommendations are made for a standardized antimicrobial reporting tool, refresher training, and continuous supervisory visits to the clinic.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Public Transportation System of Montevideo, Uruguay: A Urban Data Analysis Approach
Authors: Nesmachnow Sergio , Tchernykh Andrei
Published: October 2023

Urban mobility and strategies for public transportation play a vital role in promoting a more sustainable, accessible, and livable urban environment in smart cities. Data-driven decision making, multi-modal integration, and innovative means are key elements in developing effective public transportation. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on public transportation worldwide, including decreased travel, health and security concerns, and a shift in travel patterns. In particular, the use of public transportation reduced by up to 90% in developed countries. This article studies the mobility demands and patterns related to public transportation in Montevideo, Uruguay, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The study follows an urban data analysis approach, using open data from various sources, including citizen mobility, the public transportation system, COVID-19 case records, and economic indicators. The urban data methodology allows the deriving of significant findings, encompassing the assessment of trip reductions in Montevideo in March 2020 (71.4%, lower than similar cities in the world), the correlation between trip numbers and COVID-19 cases during the different pandemic waves, the recovery of public transportation usage, and the correlation with socio-economic indicators. These results offer valuable insights for quantifying and comprehending the behavior of citizens concerning public transportation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing valuable understandings for policymakers and researchers to elaborate mobility strategies and policies.
The First Identification of Cryptosporidium parvum Virus-1 (CSpV1) in Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) Calves in Korea
Authors: Chae Jeong-Byoung , Shin Seung-Uk , Kim Serim , Jo Young-Mi , Roh Hyunsoo , Chae Hansong , Kim Won-Gyeong , Chae Joon-Seok , Song Hyuk , Kang Jung-Won
Published: October 2023

Cryptosporidium is an obligate coccidian parasite that causes enteric diseases in bovine species. A double-stranded RNA virus associated with C. parvum oocysts, Cryptosporidium parvum virus-1 (CSpV1), has been characterized. However, the relationship between the abovementioned coccidian parasite and the virus has not been studied in the context of the known clinical outcomes. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and molecular traits of CSpV1 in diarrheal feces of Hanwoo (Korean indigenous cattle) calves. Of the 140 fecal samples previously tested for C. parvum, which were obtained from Hanwoo calves aged 60 days, 70 tested positive and 70 tested negative. These samples were included in this study. By using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis targeting the RdRp gene of CSpV1, we detected CSpV1 in 28 samples (20.0%), with infection rates of 31.4% (22/70) in C. parvum-positive and 8.6% (6/70) in C. parvum-negative samples. CSpV1 samples detected in the same farm were clustered together. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the prevalence and molecular characteristics of CSpV1 in Hanwoo calves in the Republic of Korea, providing important insights into the relationship between C. parvum and CSpV1 in bovine hosts.
Religion as Brand: ISIS and Al-Qaeda as Sub-brands of Islam
Authors: Najafabadi Razieh Mahdieh
Published: October 2023

Theorists emphasize the significance of the conceptualizing phenomena before any quantification in the scientific work process. The role of analogy among all human-beings’ cognitive tools in the process of problem solving and concept creation is undeniable according to experts. Accordingly, this paper defines the analogy of “religion as brand” as an analogical model to shed light on political and religious marketing aspects of two terrorist organizations and religious brands in the Middle East. The concept of “ISIS and Al-Qaeda are sub-brands of Islam” was extracted from this metaphorical structure. The paper illuminates different branding attributes of these two terrorist groups through reviewing approximately fifty first-hand and second-hand materials on the issue. This review reveals how Islam functions as a master-brand and nourishes these two brands ideologically. The analogy entails a variety of attributes among which five aspects of branding including communication, brand mythology, competition, attracting social and symbolic capital, and brand promise are discussed and religious associations which endorse these two groups’ political functions are examined.
Destilador solar de tipo una vertiente y la purificación de la calidad del agua, Ica
Authors: Córdova Mendoza Pedro , Zuzunaga Morales Ramiro , Barrios Mendoza Teresa Oriele , Córdova Barrios Isis Cristel , Zuzunaga Concha Emily , Diaz Huachaca Summy Maily
Published: October 2023

La carencia de agua potable en zonas costeras es un problema mundial que se ve agravado por el cambio climático y la contaminación del agua. El destilador solar de una vertiente puede contribuir a abordar estos problemas al utilizar la energía solar para evaporar el agua de mar, eliminando la sal y otros contaminantes. Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia de un destilador solar de tipo una vertiente para purificar agua de mar, utilizando agua obtenida de la playa Punta Lomitas en el distrito de Ocucaje, Ica. El destilador solar utilizado en el estudio fue fabricado con materiales económicos y de fácil acceso. Materiales y métodos. La estrategia metodológica, se basa en la teoría de los sistemas complejos, el estudio tiene un enfoque cuantitativo y utiliza un diseño observacional-prospectivo-longitudinal, el método de muestreo utilizado fue un muestreo aleatorio simple, las variables que se midieron en el estudio fueron la salinidad, el pH, la turbidez y la presencia de bacterias. Resultados. El destilador solar, con dimensiones de 60 cm de largo, 40 cm de ancho y 20 cm de alto, inclinado a 17° con un área de 0.24 m² y un nivel de agua de mar de 10 cm, mostraron la obtención de 0.524 L de agua purificada. Se evaluaron dos fechas de operación, el 05/10/2022 (14°C a 29°C) y el 14/10/2023 (11°C a 28°C), durante un horario de 09:00 am a 17:00 pm. Los parámetros de calidad del agua cumplieron con la norma, con DBO5 0.0 mg/L, oxígeno disuelto 10 mg/L y coliformes termotolerantes (44.5°C) 0.0 NMP/100 ml. La discusión señaló que el sistema propuesto cumplió las condiciones para un funcionamiento efectivo y óptimas condiciones de salubridad. Conclusiones. El destilador solar es un método simple y eficaz, utilizando radiación solar para purificar agua de mar y generar agua potable.
Niveles de energía metabolizable en la dieta y rendimiento de gallinas ponedoras de edad avanzada
Authors: Salvador Tasayco Elías , Osorio Linares Raiza Lorena , Calderón Huaman Dante Fermin , Cabel Moscoso Domingo Jesús
Published: October 2023

Las gallinas de postura actuales demuestran una buena respuesta productiva y una extensión en su periodo de postura. No existe información sobre la densidad energética optima de las dietas en el periodo de 80 a 95 semanas de edad. Es necesario estudiar el comportamiento de las gallinas de postura de edad avanzada. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de 3 niveles de energía metabolizable (EM) sobre el rendimiento productivo y calidad de huevo de gallinas de postura de edad avanzada. Materiales y Métodos. Se utilizaron 120 gallinas de la línea Lohmann Brown de 80 semanas de edad. Los tratamientos fueron asignados aleatoriamente bajo un diseño de bloques completo al azar. Los niveles de EM fueron: 2616, 2725 y 2834 Kcal de EM/Kg, con cinco repeticiones cada uno. Se evaluaron características de rendimiento productivo y calidad de huevo. Se usó el procedimiento GLM de SAS v 9.4 para los análisis estadísticos de los datos. Resultados. Indican que los niveles de EM no afectaron significativamente (P>0.05) las características del rendimiento productivo y calidad de huevo a excepción del índice de yema que fue más bajo para el nivel de 2616 Kcal de EM/Kg. Conclusiones. Las gallinas de postura de edad avanzada tienen una buena capacidad fisiológica de adaptarse a este rango de energía evaluado, por lo que la utilización de dietas con energía reducida es una alternativa en la industria avícola.
The Importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Principles in Public Works and Housing Infrastructure
Authors: Anjani Zalfa , Haryani Denik
Published: October 2023

In 2020-2024 period, it is estimated that the total investment needed to achieve infrastructure development targets in the public works and housing sector is approximately IDR 2,058 trillion. Meanwhile, the state budget can only cover around 30% of that amount, leaving the rest to be dependent on creative financing schemes such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). On the other hand, the public works and housing sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emission production. It means that infrastructure projects especially in the PWH sectors need to be safeguarded in terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change adaptation. In the recent development, there is a significant rise in changing priorities of investors in supporting investment, which is to incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. To foster ESG in infrastructure financing, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) Republic of Indonesia has launched ESG Framework and Manual to be applied by the Government Contracting Agency (GCA) as well as Special Mission Vehicles (SMVs) under MoF in undertaking the PPP project which receives government support and facilities. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing is currently preparing numerous PPP projects to achieve the funding gap, one of which is the Maintenance of Bintang Bano Dam and Build Operate, Transfer (BOT) of Mini Hydro Power Plant. As the first unsolicited PPP Project in the water resources sector, the project can be embedded with ESG principles. However, since ESG had not been incorporated since the preparation, the corrective action plan toward required Environment and Social aspects are needed to be applied.
Keywords: Public-Private Partnership, greenhouse gas, ESG, Bintang Bano Project, corrective action plan
THE EFFECT OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT ON ORGANIZATIONAL CYNICISM: A RESEARCH ON UNIVERSITY STAFF
Authors: KUZU Ali
Published: October 2023

Cynicism is a concept used to describe people who are dissatisfied, constantly critical,
and full of negative thoughts. Organizational cynicism, on the other hand, is defined
as harsh criticism and negative beliefs/feelings about the organization, either openly
or secretly. The developing technology and competitive environment, economic crisis,
mass layoffs, insufficient remuneration policy and long working hours cause
employees to develop negative attitudes towards their organizations. Since it causes
individuals to develop a series of unconstructive feelings towards the organizations,
it can be said to be associated with low productivity and loss of income directly.
Organizational cynicism is conceptualized in three dimensions as “cognitive,
affective, and behavioral”. Psychological empowerment in organizations can be
defined as “increased intrinsic task motivation”, which is the perception of helping
employees decide on their job-related roles, the meaningfulness of work, and
influencing important decisions. Empowerment, as a motivational construct, consists
of four dimensions: “meaning, competence, self-determination, and impact”.
The hypotheses of the research were formed with the proposal that the dimensions of
psychological empowerment affect negatively the dimensions of organizational
cynicism. The sample of the research consists of administrative staff working at a
university in Istanbul. According to the results obtained in this study, 8 out of 12
hypotheses were accepted and 4 were rejected. The "competence" and "impact" subdimensions of empowerment did not have a significant relationship with the
"behavioral" dimension of cynicism, while the "competence" dimension of
empowerment had a positive, not negative, relationship with “cognitive and affective
dimensions” of organizational cynicism.
Trastornos vasculares periféricos en los diabeticos
Authors:   , Grau Carreño Jorge Enrique
Published: October 2023

Aprovechando la oportunidad de haber tratado en el servicio al que concurrimos, que dirige el Prof. Dr. Rodolfo Rossi (Sala 1a. del Instituto General San Martín) enfermos diabéticos con procesos arteriales periféricos (que iban de los trastornos pregangrenosos a la gangrena) presentamos este trabajo. La importancia del tema asienta, en quedadas las modernas orientaciones en el tratamiento sustitutivo y dietoterápico de la diabetes, y en la mejor profilaxis y tratamiento de las lesiones vasculares, fuera posible obtener que las lesiones vasculares no fueran más frecuentes en los diabéticos, que en los no diabéticos. Nos referiremos fundamentalmente a los procesos arteriales de los miembros inferiores, haciendo una breve presentación de los otros sectores vasculares que pueden ser tomados.