bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Status and Development Prospects of the Financial Services Market in Ukraine
Authors: ROSHYLO Violetta I. , KOVALEVYCH Dariia A. , GUT Liubov V. , VENTSEL Viktor T. , BERDAR Marharyta M.
Published: July 2020

The relevance of the topic is that in the modern world financial services are developing most intensively in the field of electronic payments. With the development of digitalization of sales, services and even settlements between individuals, the old mechanisms do not provide the necessary convenience and speed for customers. Therefore, active development is taking place in the field of circulation of bank cards, payments from card to card (quick payments), electronic money, acquiring of various types. It is these aspects of the development of financial services that are considered in this article. The development of such financial services is relevant for Ukraine, which has significant potential in the development of innovations and their perception by the population and business. The purpose of the article is to analyze the development of the financial services market in Ukraine, identifying problems and prospects for the development of this market. The main results of the study: currently, the development of the financial market is closely connected with the development of financial technologies (FinTech) of financial organizations. Innovative solutions in this area allowed such banks in Ukraine as PrivatBank or FUIB to significantly increase their liabilities, assets and income. Further, the development of the financial services market should be associated with stimulation by the state of the development of non-cash payments, payment infrastructure (especially in regions where it is not yet developed enough). Prospects for further research are related to further study of the development of financial technologies in the financial sector, operations with bank cards and electronic money in Ukraine. The applied value of the material lies in determining the directions of development of financial operations, financial services for customers and financial products, primarily in Ukrainian banks.
Legal Regulation of Land Lease in Ukraine
Authors: SANNIKOV Dmytro V. , KHOMINETS Svetlana V. , KOVACH Denys L. , TSYLIURYK Rymma A. , CHYRYK Alona O. , SAVELIEVA Olena M.
Published: July 2020

The paper investigates the legal regulation of land lease in Ukraine. The expediency of strengthening the role and responsibility of the state in the field of conservation of leased land is substantiated. The current legislative provisions governing the legal issues of leasing land plots in Ukraine are provided. The main issues of legal regulation of land lease in Ukraine are formulated from the standpoint of the current legislative acts. The relevance of the issue is determined by the urgent need to resolve all issues arising between the parties upon handover (acceptance) of land for lease in Ukraine within the framework of the current legislation. Legal regulation of all issues related to the lease of land in Ukraine helps to prevent and resolve disputes between the parties related to ignorance, or failure to perform obligations of lease agreements, which are consolidated by the provisions of the current legislation, by any of the parties. Relations between lessees and lessors acquire a legislative framework, which greatly facilitates the resolution of all possible disputes. The practical significance of the study lies in identification and statement of the main regulations of current legislation, which objectively govern the issues of lease relations between the parties in Ukraine, from a legal position. The results of the paper, the conclusions and opinions contained therein, can be used in practical activities by organizations and individuals concluding lease agreements with each other for the right to use land plots in order to settle their lease obligations from the standpoint of the law. Of particular importance is the ability to facilitate the successful resolution of disputes between parties entering into lease relations, or to completely avoid them.
Comparative Analysis of Foundations of Legal Regulation of Criminal Liability for Organ Trafficking in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, and the European Union
Authors: SEREBRENNIKOVA Anna V. , MINYASEVA Tatjana F. , KALA Nagima S. , MALINOVSKY Alexei A. , MALINOVSKAYA Victoria M. , GRYNCHAK Serhii V.
Published: July 2020

Currently, organ trafficking occupies a leading position among transnational organized criminal groups due to the high demand for illegal services and the relatively low rates of detection of illegal actions by law enforcement agencies. In this context, the purpose of the paper was to conduct a comparative analysis of the foundations of the legal regulation of criminal liability for organ trafficking and trafficking in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, and the European Union to form scientifically substantiated conclusions and suggestions for improving existing national legislation. To achieve this purpose, general scientific and special methods were used. The study also uncovers vectors and substantiates the feasibility of implementing EU legislation in the field of organ trafficking and trafficking in the criminal legislation of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan, predicts the prospects for improving legal regulation on the subject matter and outlined the priority actions of legislative bodies. At the same time, promising areas of research in this matter are the issues of punishability of such acts and the appointment of the appropriate punishment. Furthermore, the creation of a highly regulated transplantation system at the national level was proposed, which is to be managed by a national transplantation authority with broad oversight powers. The creation of such a centralised competent authority will ensure the implementation of the scope of measures that would effectively reduce the risk of organ trafficking and trafficking and protect potential victims.
Ukrainian Civil Service: Implementation of the Public Administration Reform Strategy in Ukraine
Authors: VASYLIEVA Oleksandra I. , SLUKHAI Sergii V. , KHADZHYRADIEVA Svitlana K. , KLOCHKO Andriy A. , PASHKOVA Anna G.
Published: July 2020

Civil service as a public institution is called to increase the life quality standards for the population by delivery of high-quality administrative services, forming and ensuring the implementation of the public policy, supervision and control over legal compliance of public bodies’ and officials’ actions. However, in Ukraine it does not fully meet these objectives and requires substantial reforming. The relevance of this study lies in an active interest of philosophers, scientists, and lawyers in the research and definition of socio-economic and political turbulence in modern Ukraine caused by internal and external factors. The paper discusses the innovations of civil service in Ukraine, which are aimed at improving the performance and ensuring the quality of civil service. The results of this paper demonstrate that Ukraine has moved quite a distance from the Soviet legacy as far as civil service is concerned. Nevertheless, the country still has a lot to be done: these achievements must be supported by steady efforts so as to make them irreversible and to significantly increase the efficiency of public administration. In this connection, the civil service reform in Ukraine must be supported not only by policy measures that enhance the professionalism of civil servants, but also by the improvement of their public image. The practical importance is determined by the need to formulate priority ways of raising the country’s economic competitiveness and promoting social welfare.
Discrete Process of Development and Effective Functioning of the Fiscal System of the Ukraine and EU Countries
Authors: VDOVENKO Larysa O. , SKRYPNYK Svitlana V. , FENENKO Polina O. , HAVRYLIUK Vita M. , KOVALOV Vitalii V.
Published: July 2020

The article considers the discrete process of development and effective functioning of the fiscal system of the European Union and Ukraine. A comprehensive methodological approach to the development, sustainability and efficiency of the fiscal system, which provides structural restructuring of the economic system and affects the ‘fiscal maneuver’ of the initial formative component, balances the specific interests of all subjects of redistributive relations. The typology of fiscal systems depending on the approved level of income tax rates, wages and other taxes is studied. The method of estimating the level of tax burden at the macro level is substantiated, which shows the share of GDP that is redistributed through the total amount of tax revenues to the budgets of all levels and extra-budgetary funds. The method of determining the level of tax burden and its impact on the consumer market and production (of goods), as well as the coefficient of elasticity of tax revenues to the State Budget, which embodies the fiscal effect of the impact on the system of tax revenues is shown. The three-stage structure of indicators is determined, which allows to calculate the integrated indicator of the state of the fiscal system and to determine the dynamics of the level of its security by stimulant factors and disincentive factors. The normalized values of stimulus factors and disincentive factors, as well as an integrated indicator of the state of the fiscal system of Ukraine are estimated and determined. The share of direct and indirect taxes in the GDP, as well as the structure of tax payments in the revenues of state budgets of EU member states are analyzed. A modification of the taxonomic indicator of indicative development of the fiscal system (indirect tax harmonization index) has been developed, which characterizes the level and dynamics, as well as changes in the directions and scales of consumption taxation in EU member states and Ukraine under conditions of functioning in a single economic space with a certain degree of harmonization of the sphere of indirect taxes.
Imperatives of Quality Insuring of the Production Cycle and Effective Functioning Process of the Enterprises of Agro-Product Subcomplex of Ukraine
Authors: VINICHENKO Igor I. , TRUSOVA Natalia V. , KURBATSKA Larysa M. , POLEHENKA Maryna A. , OLEKSIUK Vitalii O.
Published: July 2020

The article deals with the imperatives of quality insuring of the production cycle and the effective functioning process of the enterprises of agro-product subcomplex of Ukraine. An effective functional system has been built which, based on the quantitative and qualitative criteria of competitiveness of enterprises, determines the scale and effectiveness of their activity, provides opportunities to reproduce the resource potential of the agro-product subcomplex industries. The set of processes of relevant implication ‘resources – structure – efficiency – development of the system’ was singled out in order to improve the qualitative and quantitative properties of the production cycle as a creation of efficiency. An adaptive-renovation approach is proposed, which allows selecting from the system of indicators representative-effective indicators and factors of financial and resource load on the level of self-financing of the production cycle with 95% probability. The criterion of ‘optimal maximum profit’, which meets the requirements of a clear economic interpretation of the performance indicators, provides an increase in the value of cash flow to reduce the dependence of the entities of inter-economic relations on the slowdown in the self-financing of the production cycle. It is proved that the integration of agro-product industries with a long continuous cycle has specified functional changes in their efficiency. We have grouped the entities of inter-economic relations by the level of production cost and profitability of the sold products, which ensure the effective process of functioning of the enterprises of the agro-product subcomplex. The parameters of financial and resource load on indicators of self-financing of the production cycle of enterprises of poultry agro-complex in the average for one region of Ukraine are determined. Alternative business projects for the production of poultry products are proposed while changing the cash flow discount rate.
Ontologia nienowoczesności w poezji Piotra Szewca
Authors: Tomczok Marta
Published: July 2020

Nawiązując do teorii Hansa Ulricha Gumbrechta, Brunona Latoura i Nurit Bird-David, autorka próbuje dowieść, że poezji Piotra Szewca towarzyszy koncepcja kwestionująca logikę współczesnego świata oparta na postępie technicznym i wyizolowanym, egocentrycznym podmiocie. Wspomniana koncepcja to ontologia nienowoczesności. Bezpośrednią inspiracją dla niej pozostaje pojęcie nienowoczesności (anowoczesności) Latoura uzupełnione o refleksję nad nowym animizmem Bird-David. Analiza obejmuje cztery tomy poetyckie, wydane w latach 2006–2017, oraz wybór wierszy Szewca z 2019 roku.
Cienie codzienności. Poetyka opisu w Lalce w świetle notatek o kompozycji Bolesława Prusa
Authors: Jauksz Marcin
Published: July 2020

Artykuł określa znaczenie późnodziewiętnastowiecznych badań i refleksji psychologicznych dla konstruowania opisów w Lalce Bolesława Prusa. Kwestie związane z opisem świata i człowieka – jak pokazują autorskie „notatki o kompozycji” pisarza z tego czasu – budowały ważny wątek jego epistemologicznej i artystycznej refleksji. Zapiski teoretyczne autora Lalki pozwalają ukazać tę powieść w nieco innym świetle – jako poligon wypracowanych w psychologicznej kuźni technik wpływu i podsuwania wrażeń zaciekawionemu czytelnikowi.
Lublin i Lubelszczyzna w działalności naukowej i organizacyjnej doktora Mieczysława Buczyńskiego (2 XI 1936 - 25 XII 1992)
Authors: Czyżewski Feliks
Published: July 2020

The article presents the academic achievements of Mieczysław Buczyński, Ph.D. (1936-1992) with special emphasis placed on his dialectological and onomastic research in the Lublin area. The scholar created a card index for the Dictionary of the Huszcza in Podlasie dialect which index consists of more than 100 thousand words. The vocabulary can serve as a basis for describing linguistic interference between the local Ukrainian dialects and the insular Polish dialect. Another area of Mieczysław Buczyński’s academic interest was onomastics, especially urban names and anthroponymy. The studies of the names in Lublin were conducted with respect to the object and the methodology. In his descriptions of urban names, Mieczysław Buczyński took into consideration the linguistic as well as the extra-linguistic factors. Anthroponyms of Armenian origin, presented with respect to the inhabitants of Zamość, played an important role in the scholar’s onomastic studies. The article presents the academic achievements of the prematurely deceased scholar and a person born and living in the Lublin area. He was involved in pioneering research and nouvelle methodology, largely supported by the ethnic and cultural diversity of the region with which Mieczysław Buczyński always identified himself.
BABIE LATO, WIĘC PORA UMIERAĆ? MECHANIZMY OSWAJANIA STAROŚCI WE WSPÓŁCZESNYM KINIE POLSKIM I CZESKIM
Authors: BATOR MONIKA
Published: July 2020

The article is an attempt at presenting the similarities and differences in contemporary imaging of old age on the silver screen by using several examples of Polish and Czech (mostly) feature films from the 21st century. Special attention has been paid to the mechanisms of familiarising the taboo of passing away and old age in the cinematography of both countries.
Wpływy polskie w mowie ludności ukraińskiej województwa lwowskiego na przykładzie słownictwa
Authors: Kostecka-Sadowa Anna
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study is to show some aspects of how Polish loanwords exist in Ukrainian dialects in the rural areas. While in the population from the study area, Ukrainians represent a majority, the community consists of a significant percentage of Polish inhabitants. The article analyses the names of lexical and semantic group names of kitchen utensils for food preparation used in the subdialects of the Nadsiannia boundary area. The origin of the analysed names is given together with parallels with others dialects of the Ukrainian language.
A INTELIGÊNCIA COMPUTACIONAL E O TEOREMA DE THOMAS BAYES, UMA DAS FERRAMENTAS DO SOFTWARE R
Authors: FERREIRA CORSI MARLON , AREAL DE SANTANA BRUNO
Published: July 2020

O artigo mostra a implementação de uma rede bayesiana utilizando o software “The RProject for Statistical Computing” a fim de estimar as probabilidades a partir de dadoshipotéticos, de um problema real, que trata os aspectos de um grupo de estudantesque obtiveram aprovação ou reprovação visto que estes ou fizeram curso ou possuíaminternet banda larga em suas residências. Estes dados foram tratados no software NETICA® e os resultados obtidos pelo modelo criado no “R” será comparado com os dessesoftware. Mostrando a aplicabilidade de um programa open source como alternativa doprograma comercial HUGIN® com licença estudante. Este será usado apenas para fazer ainferência da Rede bayesiana.
Long-term Outcomes of Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Veterans with Left Main Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Chen Sheena , Rosenfeld Ethan , Lee K Benjamin , Napolitano Michael , Sparks Andrew D , Panting-Crespo Jeffrey , Trachiotis Gregory D
Published: July 2020

Background: Studies of the civilian population with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have shown 2% to 4.2% 30-day mortality. However, there is a lack of reporting from the veteran population. Here we analyze the outcomes of veterans with LMCAD who underwent CABG by a single surgeon at a single Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).
Methods: Veterans who underwent isolated CABG between 1998 to 2018 at a VAMC were further divided into a group with significant left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) of stenosis greater than or equal to 50% and a group without left main coronary artery stenosis (non-LMCAD). The primary outcome was mortality. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications. Multivariable regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to compare the two cohorts.
Results: The demographics and comorbidities are similar between the two cohorts except for higher average age and percentage of stroke in the LMCAD group (n = 509) compared to non-LMCAD (n = 927). Perioperative complications are comparable between the two groups except for increased length of stay (LOS) in the LMCAD group (12.9 ± 15.9 days versus 10.9 ± 9.0 days in non-LMCAD, P < .001). 30-day mortality in the LMCAD group is 4.1% versus 1.4% in non-LMCAD. However, Kaplan-Meier curves show no significant difference in adjusted overall survival throughout 15 years between the groups (P = .560).
Conclusion: Veterans with LMCAD who underwent CABG have similar postoperative complications compared to non-LMCAD group. The 30-day mortality is higher in the LMCAD group; however, there is no difference in long-term survival.
La fotografía como método de ilustración de un libro álbum
Authors: Guadamuz Villalobos Jairo Andrés
Published: July 2020

Se estudia la relación estrecha que conservan el texto y la imagen, con especial atención a las obras ilustradas denominadas libro álbum. Se aborda, además, el papel que juega la imagen en los procesos cognitivos, así como su papel discursivo y narrativo. Se hace un repaso histórico sobre la fotografía, y se estudio su capacidad de reproducción de la realidad. Desde estas reflexiones se habla sobre la importancia de la imagen dentro de la animación lectora y se hace énfasis en el uso de la fotografía como método de ilustración para obras literarias. Además, se describe el proceso de reilustración de la obra La Guardiana de la naturaleza y sus amigos salvan el río, mediante la reproducción a escala de sus personajes y escenarios para la posterior captura de los mismos. Asimismo se detalla sobre el proceso de diagramación de la obra y el producto final obtenido.
ECOTOXICOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE SOILFERTILIZED WITH SEWAGE SLUDGE
Authors: Kujawska Justyna , Wójcik-Oliveira Katarzyna
Published: July 2020

Sewage sludge and its management constitute one of the most important environmental problems. The introduced the Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC advocate utilization of sewage sludge in agriculture. However, this method is limited mainly by the availability of heavy metals and pathogens. An ecotoxicological assessment of sewage sludge doses applied to soil, recommended in the Polish Regulation of the Minister of Environment of 6th February 2015 on municipial sewage sludge, was carried out. The sewage sludge was added to soil in the amounts of 3, 6, 9, and 15 Mg/ha. The produced mixtures were subjected to physicochemical and ecotoxicological tests, involving the biomass and mortality tests of Eisenia fetida earthworms. The sewage sludge had a statistically significant impact on the increase in: electrical conductivity, total exchangeable cations, organic matter content, organic carbon, nitrogen and heavy metals of the considered soil. The impact on the biomass of earthworms was different; after 7 days in the mixtures with 3 Mg/ha and 6 Mg/ha sewage sludge addition, the biomass increased approximately by 1.3-fold, in comparison to non-modified soil. At 9 Mg/ha, it reduced by 1.3-fold, whereas at 15 Mg/ha – by 16-fold, in relation to the initial value. The studies indicated that the ecotoxicological assessment of wastes may be employed as environmental safety control measure of the sewage sludge application in agriculture.
ASSESSMENT OF AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRO-ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN WEST AFRICA
Authors: Abdoulaye Bamoi Abdou Gafarou , Yılmaz Hasan
Published: July 2020

The agricultural sector, indispensable in meeting the increasing demand for food, is the main user of natural resources. Agricultural production breeds significant environmental impacts and problems both within and outside farms or agricultural holdings. This situation increases the sensitivity of the agriculture to the risks that can cause serious economic losses. Thus, unless measures are taken to solve the environmental problems arising from agricultural production, the sustainability of agricultural production and food supply even less the achievement of food and agriculture-related sustainable development goals can be seriously threatened. However, these risks and losses can be mitigated through policy reform, institutional and technological innovations. In West Africa, more than 40% of water and land resources are used for agricultural production. This makes agro-environment relations more important. This study has been carried out to reveal the major agro-environmental challenge in West Africa and to examine the current approaches and policies applied to solve these problems. In the study, data obtained from FAO agro-environmental indicators database were used as the main material. In this study, using a research methodology subdivided into two stages, the effects of agricultural activities on the environment were examined, analyzed and interpreted by comparing the agro-environmental profiles of West African countries with other OECD countries based on agro-environmental indicators. Agro-environmental policies applied to resolve agro-environmental problems in West African countries were reviewed and recommendations for sustainable agro-environmental management and also a more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural sector were formulated for sustainable agriculture and food supply.
TRENDS IN VARIABILITY OF MAXIMUM WATER FLOW IN SMALL RIVERS BASINS IN ROMANIA
Authors: Tudorache Andreea-Violeta , Mihalcea Andreea , Tudorache George-Stelian
Published: July 2020

The present paper analyzes the spatial and temporal variability of the maximum flow in small river basins. The maximum flows were also analyzed taking into account the threshold values ​​corresponding to the defense levels. The series of important events, were then statistically analyzed to determine trends (Mann-Kendall test) and variations in the frequency of occurrence, analysis that was applied seasonally and annually. From the analysis performed, the trends regarding the maximum flows for the studied river basins were generally negative (decreasing), statistically significant only for the months of February, March, June, August, December and for the multiannual average, in the case the Casimcea river basin. The highest flow recorded during the operating period of the hydrometric stations analyzed until 2016, was at Râmnicu Vâlcea, in the hydrographic basin of the Olănești river (1969 and 2014), and in the hydrographic basin of the Feernic river (H.S. Simonești) in 2005. The hydrological phenomenon having a very destructive impact, causing significant social-economic damage.
POST-VOLCANIC PHENOMENA FROM MALNAȘ BĂI – ROMANIA AND EXPEDITIONARY MEASUREMENT OF SPRINGS WATER
Authors: Vigh Melinda , Pandi Gavril
Published: July 2020

The resort is located in a geological contact region. The faulted layers facilitate the water and the different gases ascending to the surface. Contact with different rocks fills the waters with mineral salts. These processes gave rise to mineral springs, gas emissions and peat marshes. The waters are situated in two horizons, the lower one from Cretaceous and the upper from Pliocene and Quaternary. Their use and exploitation began from the earliest times, reaching a peak in the second half of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century. There was a period of reflux, but now the resort is trying to revive. The expedition measurements from 2019 have provided clarifications regarding the quantitative assessments and the qualitative properties of the mineral springs. The following parameters were analyzed at most important springs: hydrogen ion concentration, salinity, ion content, redox potential, TDS and the fixed residue. The results were obtained in the field and in the laboratory.
CLIMATIC AND ECOLOGICAL CONSTRAINTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF EUROPEAN BEECH (FAGUS SYLVATICA) AT THE EASTERN LIMIT (SCIENTIFIC RESERVE "PLAIUL FAGULUI")
Authors: Nedealcov Maria , Apostol Liviu , Donica Ala , Grigoras Nicolae
Published: July 2020

For the Republic of Moldova, the European beech forests (Fagus sylvatica specie) represent their most eastern areal in the spatial distribution, in Europe. During the last century there have been unfavorable changes in the climate conditions for the development of beech forests in Moldova. The summer mean temperature has increased, while the annual rainfall showed a decreasing trend. Therefore, on the basis of the beech climate tolerance index (QBTI), it was determined that the limit of drought tolerance, in temporal and spatial aspect, clarify beech death phenomena. The data obtained were compared with the state of vitality of the beech crowns within "Plaiul Fagului Reserve", which in the last years is unsatisfactory, largely due to this phenomenon.
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES INDUCED BY THE IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABLE LAND USE IN BĂILEȘTI PLAIN
Authors: Crișu Lavinia , Zamfir Andreea Gabriela , Boengiu Sandu
Published: July 2020

Current climate and practicing a modern and sustainable agriculture imply the need to rehabilitate the entire network of irrigation systems found in Băilești Plain. There are 9 irrigation systems with 1.015 km of canals, spread over an area of 194.648 ha. These large constructions, which cross the Danube meadow and terraces, induced morphological changes due to the canals built and the slopes resulted. By investigating the types of canals built and their morphometric values, we were able to estimate the quantity of relocated materials, 53.918.820 m3. Failure to fully utilize the irrigation systems, deforestation and defective use of agricultural land have led to their degradation and amplification of geomorphological processes, especially on sandy surfaces. A complete analysis of the irrigation systems regarding their functionality, the existence of the Organizations for Water Users and the stage of rehabilitation contracts was carried out. The National Plan for the Rehabilitation of the Main Irrigation Infrastructure in Romania, aims at restoring the initial parameters for the functioning of the stations and canals by 2020. The purpose is to increase the irrigated areas, which nowadays are kept at a low value (50.000 ha) which fluctuates year by year.
BIG DATA – CATALYST OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Danubianu Mirela
Published: July 2020

Sustainable development involves meeting the needs of the current generation without affecting the possibility of future generations to meet their own needs. This implies the correlation of the immediate objectives with the long-term ones at local and global level, considering the economic and environmental aspects in close interdependence. Released around 2010, Big Data is a generic term that refers those data sets whose features make it impossible to process with traditional database tools. Beyond the significant dimensions, Big Data is defined by the so-called set of Big Data Vs: volume, variety, velocity, veracity, volatility and, not least by the value that their analysis adds to the decision-making process. Starting with 2013, the United Nations through the Global Pulse initiative has defined a new concept - Big Data for Development. It aims to find those data sources whose analysis provides valuable information for ensuring the well-being and development of the society. In 2015, the United Nations launched a new agenda that supports 17 sustainable development goals, whose achievement involves integrated actions that will solve social, economic and environmental problems in a way that will reduce disparities. As we are in the middle of the digital revolution, the following question is inevitable: to what extent and in what way can the data collected and analyzed using the latest technologies help to implement policies that will lead to these objectives? This paper aims to provide a qualitative analysis of how Big Data analytics can influence decisions and catalyze the implementation of policies that will result in achieving sustainable development goals.
Occurrence and clinical characteristics of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD): A cluster analysis in two independent community samples
Authors: Castro-Calvo J. , Gil-Llario M. D. , Giménez-García C. , Gil-Juliá B. , Ballester-Arnal R.
Published: July 2020

Background and aims

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) is characterized by a persistent failure to control intense and recurrent sexual impulses, urges, and/or thoughts, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior that causes a marked impairment in important areas of functioning. Despite its recent inclusion in the forthcoming ICD-11, concerns regarding its assessment, diagnosis, prevalence or clinical characteristics remain. The purpose of this study was to identify participants displaying CSBD through a novel data-driven approach in two independent samples and outline their sociodemographic, sexual, and clinical profile.

Methods

Sample 1 included 1,581 university students (females = 56.9%; Mage = 20.58) whereas sample 2 comprised 1,318 community members (females = 43.6%; Mage = 32.37). First, we developed a new composite index to assess the whole range of CSBD symptoms based on three previously validated scales. Based on this new composite index, we subsequently identified individuals with CSBD through a cluster analytic approach.

Results

The estimated occurrence of CSBD was 10.12% in sample 1 and 7.81% in sample 2. Participants with CSBD were mostly heterosexual males, younger than respondents without CSBD, reported higher levels of sexual sensation seeking and erotophilia, an increased offline and especially online sexual activity, more depressive and anxious symptoms, and poorer self-esteem.

Conclusions

This research provides further evidence on the occurrence of CSBD based on an alternative data-driven approach, as well as a detailed and nuanced description of the sociodemographic, sexual, and clinical profile of adults with this condition. Clinical implications derived from these findings are discussed in detail.
Morbid exercise behaviour and eating disorders: A meta-analysis
Authors: Alcaraz-Ibáñez Manuel , Paterna Adrian , Sicilia Álvaro , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: July 2020

Background and aims

This study examined the relationship between self-reported symptoms of morbid exercise behaviour (MEB) and eating disorders (ED) using meta-analytic techniques.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO and Scopus. Random effects models were used to compute pooled effect sizes estimates (r). The robustness of the summarized estimates was examined through sensitivity analyses by removing studies one at a time.

Results

Sixty-six studies comprising 135 effect-sizes (N = 21,816) were included. The results revealed: (a) small-sized relationship in the case of bulimic symptoms (r = 0.19), (b) small- (r = 0.28) to medium-sized relationships (r = 0.41) in the case of body/eating concerns, and (c) medium-sized relationships in the case of overall ED symptoms (r = 0.35) and dietary restraint (r = 0.42). Larger effect sizes were observed in the case of overall ED symptoms in clinical, younger, and thinner populations, as well as when employing a continuously-scored instrument for assessing ED or the Compulsive Exercise Test for assessing MEB. Larger effect sizes were also found in female samples when the ED outcome was dietary restraint.

Conclusions

The identified gaps in the literature suggest that future research on the topic may benefit from: (a) considering a range of clinical (in terms of diagnosed ED) and non-clinical populations from diverse exercise modalities, (b) addressing a wide range of ED symptomatology, and (c) employing longitudinal designs that clarify the temporal direction of the relationship under consideration.
The influence of chronological age on cognitive biases and impulsivity levels in male patients with gambling disorder
Authors: Granero Roser , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Valero-Solís Susana , Pino-Gutiérrez Amparo del , Mestre-Bach Gemma , Baenas Isabel , Contaldo S. Fabrizio , Gómez-Peña Mónica , Aymamí Neus , Moragas Laura , Vintró Cristina , Mena-Moreno Teresa , Valenciano-Mendoza Eduardo , Mora-Maltas Bernat , Menchón José M. , Jiménez-Murcia Susana
Published: July 2020

Background and aims

Due to the contribution of age to the etiology of gambling disorder (GD), there is a need to assess the moderator effect of the aging process with other features that are highly related with the clinical profile. The objective of this study is to examine the role of the chronological age into the relationships between cognitive biases, impulsivity levels and gambling preference with the GD profile during adulthood.

Methods

Sample included n = 209 patients aged 18–77 years-old recruited from a Pathological Gambling Outpatients Unit. Orthogonal contrasts explored polynomial patterns in data, and path analysis implemented through structural equation modeling assessed the underlying mechanisms between the study variables.

Results

Compared to middle-age patients, younger and older age groups reported more impairing irrational beliefs (P = 0.005 for interpretative control and P = 0.043 for interpretative bias). A linear trend showed that as people get older sensation seeking (P = 0.006) and inability to stop gambling (P = 0.018) increase. Path analysis showed a direct effect between the cognitive bias and measures of gambling severity (standardized effects [SE] between 0.12 and 0.17) and a direct effect between impulsivity levels and cumulated debts due to gambling (SE = 0.22).

Conclusion

Screening tools and intervention plans should consider the aging process. Specific programs should be developed for younger and older age groups, since these are highly vulnerable to the consequences of gambling activities and impairment levels of impulsivity and cognitive biases.
Hands-off: Study protocol of a two-armed randomized controlled trial of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problematic pornography use
Authors: Bőthe Beáta , Baumgartner Christian , Schaub Michael P. , Demetrovics Zsolt , Orosz Gábor
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims

The past-year prevalence of problematic pornography use (PPU) was 1–6% in adult populations. As a result of treatment obstacles and barriers, such as unaffordable treatments, only a minority of problematic pornography users may seek treatment. Having a free, online, self-help program may overcome treatment barriers and may help those individuals who cannot receive traditional or offline treatment for PPU. Although the effectiveness of such online programs reducing substance use and problematic gambling have been reported, no prior study has examined the efficacy of an online self-help intervention aiming to reduce PPU.

Methods

This two-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) will examine the effectiveness of an online self-help program (Hands-off) to reduce PPU, while also considering psychopathological comorbidities. The six-week intervention condition includes six core modules developed to reduce PPU based on motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and wise social-psychological intervention techniques. The target sample size is 242 participants. Self-report questionnaires will be administered at baseline, right after the end of the intervention, at one-month, and three-month follow-ups after the end of the intervention. The primary outcome will be the level of PPU. Secondary outcomes will include pornography use frequency, pornography craving, pornography use-avoidance self-efficacy, sex mindset, sexual satisfaction, negative and positive emotions, and life satisfaction. Data will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed models.

Results

Results will be reported at conferences and published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal. The participants will be sent a lay-person-friendly summary of the results via e-mail.
Validation of a Brief Pornography Screen across multiple samples
Authors: Kraus Shane W. , Gola Mateusz , Grubbs Joshua B. , Kowalewska Ewelina , Hoff Rani A. , Lew-Starowicz Michał , Martino Steve , Shirk Steven D. , Potenza Marc N.
Published: July 2020

Background and Aims

To address current gaps around screening for problematic pornography use (PPU), we initially developed and tested a six-item Brief Pornography Screen (BPS) that asked about PPU in the past six months.

Methods and Participants

We recruited five independent samples from the U.S. and Poland to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BPS. In Study 1, we evaluated the factor structure, reliability, and elements of validity using a sample of 224 U.S. veterans. One item from the BPS was dropped in Study 1 due to low item endorsement. In Studies 2 and 3, we further investigated the five-item the factor structure of the BPS and evaluated its reliability and validity in two national U.S. representative samples (N = 1,466, N = 1,063, respectively). In Study 4, we confirmed the factor structure and evaluated its validity and reliability using a sample of 703 Polish adults. In Study 5, we calculated the suggested cut-off score for the screen using a sample of 105 male patients seeking treatment for compulsive sexual behavior disorder (CSBD).

Results

Findings from a principal components analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution which yielded high internal consistency (α = 0.89–0.90), and analyses further supported elements of construct, convergent, criterion, and discriminant validity of the newly developed screen. Results from a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve suggested a cut-off score of four or higher for detecting possible PPU.

Conclusions

The BPS appears to be psychometrically sound, short, and easy to use in various settings with high potential for use in populations across international jurisdictions.
A Network of Awakening Souls
Authors: Hoo Misha
Published: July 2020

The New Age spiritual milieu has been characterised as increasingly diffuse and lacking in cohesion as it evolves away from its counter-cultural and millenarian roots. It has also been criticised for its dependence on capitalist-driven consumption, with noticeably less attention given to what the New Age produces. However, whilst New Age certainly relies on the free market to sustain a multitude of spiritual businesses, its facilitators also play an instrumental role in the dissemination of ideologies and the building of community based on a shared ethos. Markets can therefore function as sites for meaningful enquiry into the ideologies, activities and cohesiveness of New Age culture. An examination of New Age Facebook groups in Australia demonstrates the spiritual milieu is less fragmented than it may appear. Instead, this national network is unified by its shared values and bound together by a core doctrine of holistic self-spirituality.
Avaliação da qualidade metodológica de diretrizes de vigilância e manejo clínico de dengue e chikungunya
Authors: Feitosa Manuella Carvalho , Leite Pedro Henrique Amparo da Costa , Costa Julia Henrique , Hökerberg Yara Hahr Marques
Published: July 2020

Resumo: A pesquisa objetivou avaliar a qualidade metodológica de diretrizes do Ministério da Saúde brasileiro, da Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (OPAS) e da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) sobre vigilância e manejo clínico de dengue e chikungunya. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, no qual a ferramenta Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Reporting Checklist II (AGREE II) foi aplicada por quatro avaliadores, de forma independente e mascarada, para seis diretrizes. Cada avaliador atribuiu um escore de 1 (discordo totalmente) a 7 (concordo completamente) aos 23 itens dos domínios do AGREE II: escopo e propósito; envolvimento das partes interessadas; rigor no desenvolvimento; clareza da apresentação; aplicabilidade e independência editorial. As diretrizes de dengue da OPAS (média = 5,2, DP = 0,8) e da OMS (média = 4,5, DP = 0,5) obtiveram maiores pontuações globais, sendo recomendadas com modificações por todos os avaliadores, e a do Ministério da Saúde (média = 2,7, DP = 0,4) não foi recomendada por um deles. Já as pontuações das diretrizes de chikungunya foram baixas (médias variando de 2,2 a 3,0) independentemente do órgão que as elaborou. Os domínios com maior conformidade foram “clareza da apresentação” (mediana de 84,7%) e “escopo e propósito” (77,1%), e os de menor conformidade foram “independência editorial” (5,2%) e “rigor no desenvolvimento” (9,1%). O estudo identificou lacunas na qualidade metodológica das diretrizes relacionadas, principalmente, à transparência nos processos de busca, seleção das evidências científicas e formulação das recomendações, além de falta de clareza quanto ao financiamento e possíveis conflitos de interesses.
SRAG por COVID-19 no Brasil: descrição e comparação de características demográficas e comorbidades com SRAG por influenza e com a população geral
Authors: Niquini Roberta Pereira , Lana Raquel Martins , Pacheco Antonio Guilherme , Cruz Oswaldo Gonçalves , Coelho Flávio Codeço , Carvalho Luiz Max , Villela Daniel Antunes Maciel , Gomes Marcelo Ferreira da Costa , Bastos Leonardo Soares
Published: July 2020

O presente estudo tem o objetivo de descrever os pacientes hospitalizados por síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SRAG) em decorrência da COVID-19 (SRAG-COVID), no Brasil, quanto às suas características demográficas e comorbidades até a 21ª Semana Epidemiológica de 2020. Buscou-se comparar essas características com as dos hospitalizados por SRAG em decorrência da influenza em 2019/2020 (SRAG-FLU) e com a população geral brasileira. As frequências relativas das características demográficas, comorbidades e de gestantes/puérperas entre os pacientes hospitalizados por SRAG-COVID e SRAG-FLU foram obtidas por meio do Sistema de Informação de Vigilância Epidemiológica da Gripe (SIVEP-Gripe), e as estimativas para a população geral brasileira foram obtidas por meio de projeções populacionais realizadas pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos e de pesquisas de âmbito nacional. Entre os hospitalizados por SRAG-COVID, observou-se uma elevada proporção, em relação ao perfil da população geral brasileira, de indivíduos do sexo masculino, idosos ou com 40 a 59 anos, com comorbidades (diabetes mellitus, doença cardiovascular, doença renal crônica e pneumopatias crônicas) e de gestantes/puérperas. Já entre os hospitalizados por SRAG-FLU, observou-se prevalências superiores às populacionais de indivíduos de 0 a 4 anos de idade ou idosos, de raça ou cor branca, com comorbidades (diabetes mellitus, doença renal crônica, asma e outras pneumopatias crônicas) e de gestantes/puérperas. Esses grupos podem estar evoluindo para casos mais graves da doença, de forma que estudos longitudinais na área são de extrema relevância para investigar esta hipótese e melhor subsidiar políticas públicas de saúde.
Estimativa da concentração média diária de material particulado fino na região do Complexo Industrial e Portuário do Pecém, Ceará, Brasil
Authors: Couto Lucas de Oliveira do , Nuto Sharmênia de Araújo Soares , Hacon Sandra de Souza , Gioda Adriana , Sousa Francisco Wagner de , Barreira Filho Edenilo Baltazar , Gonçalves Karen dos Santos , Périssé André Reynaldo Santos
Published: July 2020

A exposição ao material particulado fino (MP2,5) está associada a inúmeros desfechos à saúde. Desta forma, monitoramento da concentração ambiental do MP2,5 é importante, especialmente em áreas amplamente industrializadas, pois abrigam potenciais emissores do MP2,5 e de substâncias com potencial de aumentar a toxicidade de partículas já suspensas. O objetivo desta pesquisa é estimar a concentração diária do MP2,5 em três áreas de influência do Complexo Industrial e Portuário do Pecém (CIPP), Ceará, Brasil. Foi aplicado um modelo de regressão não linear para a estimativa do MP2,5, por meio de dados de profundidade óptica monitorados por satélite. As estimativas foram realizadas em três áreas de influência (Ai) do CIPP (São Gonçalo do Amarante - Ai I, Paracuru e Paraipaba - Ai II e Caucaia - Ai III, no período de 2006 a 2017. As médias anuais das concentrações estimadas foram inferiores ao estabelecido pela legislação nacional em todas as Ai (8µg m-3). Em todas as Ai, os meses referentes ao período de seca (setembro a fevereiro) apresentaram as maiores concentrações e uma predominância de ventos leste para oeste. Os meses que compreendem o período de chuva (março a agosto) apresentaram as menores concentrações e ventos menos definidos. As condições meteorológicas podem exercer um papel importante nos processos de remoção, dispersão ou manutenção das concentrações do material particulado na região. Mesmo com baixas concentrações estimadas, é importante avaliar a constituição das partículas finas dessa região, bem como sua possível associação a efeitos adversos à saúde da população local.
Do supereu antitético ao falo: o lugar da droga em sujeitos neuróticos
Authors: Bezerra Daniela Santos , Darriba Vinicius Anciães
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo parte da experiência clínica em uma unidade de internação psiquiátrica para homens com diagnóstico de dependentes químicos. Tal experiência foi tomada a partir do que se extrai do discurso do analista (Lacan 1969-70/1992). O agenciamento do objeto a revela que nem sempre a relação com a substância é a causa do sofrimento psíquico. Um dos aspectos presentes nessa clínica, na qual predominam sujeitos neuróticos, é o empuxo à repetição do fracasso, engendrando o sem-sentido. Tal atuação não diz respeito à relação com a droga, mas revela-se modus operandi do sujeito. Apontando a antítese entre falo e supereu, como a única instância que impõe o gozo, estabelecemos a diferença entre o uso da droga como suspensão do gozo fálico como indicado por Lacan (1975/1976) e a repetição compulsiva que exaure o sujeito e realiza o fracasso.