bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The “Walk” towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Does Mandated “Talk” through NonFinancial Disclosure Affect Companies’ Financial Performance?
Authors: Phan Ho-Tan-Phat , De Luca Francesco , Iaia Lea
Published: March 2020

With its Global Compact, the United Nations (UN) called companies to align strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, while settling and pursuing the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving SDGs in business reporting is part of the lively debate in the literature about the ability of nonfinancial reporting in providing stakeholders with useful and value-relevant information about companies’ behaviors. This paper intends to address this issue in the aftermath of the recent European Union EU policy (Directive 95/2014/EU) of mandating companies to disclose nonfinancial information (NFI) according to some of the SDGs matters. To this end, the Italian context was analyzed, and main findings provide some early evidence of the absence of association between NFI and financial/market performance. At the same time, the positive association between companies’ Beta factor and size and NFI is supported. This implies that stakeholders still do not appreciate NFI reported according to the new rules and probably that more time is needed to assess the possible advantages of an improved regulation about NFI. However, results show that larger companies and/or companies with higher risk profiles (Beta) have already started to improve their NFI.
An Optimization Management Model for Countries with Mutually Competitive Regions
Authors: Li Peng , Zhong Weizhou
Published: March 2020

It is difficult to manage resources allocation and pollution in a multi-regional country with mutually competitive relations. This work therefore intends to propose an optimal control model for the management problem. Through introducing the union utility function to model competitive interactions, we construct an integrated economy, resource, and environment macroeconomic model according to the social practices in the country with some competitive regions. Numerical procedures are proposed to search for the optimal energy policy and antipollution strategy of the model. As shown, an optimal fair tradeoff between efficiency and equity can be balanced for each region in the country. More important, the model verifies the importance of the role of government for management problems in a country with complex internal competitive relations
Dissemination Challenges of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Rural India: Perspectives from the Field
Authors: Rao Smitha , Dahal Sanjeev , Hadingham Sophia , Kumar Praveen
Published: March 2020

We look at infrastructure and policies in India around the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to rural communities and incorporate the experiences and perspectives of dissemination personnel. This qualitative study is part of a larger case control study aimed at examining strategies to promote adoption and sustained use of clean cooking technology, particularly among the rural poor in southern India. Our focus on dissemination personnel helps illuminate extant policy implementation and strategies to increase LPG uptake among the poor. Thematic analysis of 13 semi-structured interviews points to gaps in workforce training, infrastructure, and interface of the technology with social norms. Reduction in refill costs and removal of LPG subsidies was widely suggested to increase uptake and use. Themes identified underscore that policies promoting LPG for the poor will have limited success in the absence of commensurate infrastructure for LPG dissemination and awareness. Despite being primary policy beneficiaries, the under-representation of women within energy governance such as LPG distribution systems identified in this study presents a gap that interventions should focus on. Perspectives from those at the frontiers of implementation of a national energy policy provide insights into the high points as well as operational setbacks to help understand dissemination strategies within energy systems.
Biomimetic Organisations: A Management Model that Learns from Nature
Authors: Olaizola Edita , Morales-Sánchez Rafael , Eguiguren Huerta Marcos
Published: March 2020

Since the end of the last century, different approaches for corporate management have been appearing that try to incorporate the social advances that are being produced and disseminated thanks to the greater capacity of communication available through social networks and other traditional avenues. Among the best known are Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, the Circular Economy, and Collaborative Economics. All of them add value to organisations, and all of them have a common characteristic: they are anthropocentric approaches. Our proposal goes a step further: we need a worldview that is capable of placing organisations in a position of continuous learning looking at nature, because it is the best way to integrate into it as a more ecosystem and thus achieve its flowering respecting the once to all the other subsystems that make up the planet: Organizational Biomimicry. This work compares the anthropocentric vision with the worldview at the same time that it offers a guide of the essential steps so that Organizational Biomimicry is the new model of corporate management.
Responses of Bacterial Community, Root-Soil Interaction and Tomato Yield to Different Practices in Subsurface Drip Irrigation
Authors: Wang Jingwei , Li Yuan , Niu Wenquan
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study was to reveal the regulatory mechanisms underlying the soil bacterial community of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). The effect of different buried depths of drip tape (0, 10, 20, 30 cm) on the soil bacterial community in a tomato root-zone was investigated using high-throughput technology. Furthermore, the mutual effects of root growth, tomato yield and soil bacterial community were also analyzed to explore the response of root-soil interaction to the buried depth of drip tape. The results indicated that SDI (i.e., 10, 20 and 30 cm buried depths of drip tape) changed the soil bacterial community structure compared to surface drip irrigation (a 0 cm buried depth of drip tape). SDI with a 10 cm buried depth of drip tape significantly reduced the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes and Planctomycetes, but significantly increased the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Candidate_division_TM7 and Bacteroidetes. SDI of 20 and 30 cm buried depth significantly decreased the relative abundances of Roteobacteri, Actinobacteria and Planctomycetes, however, increased the relative abundances of Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Candidate_division_TM7 and especially some trace bacteria (for example Nitrospirae). Furthermore, under 20 cm or 30 cm of buried depth, the abundances of nitrogen metabolism and phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism based on the PICRUSt (Reconstruction of Unobserved States) method were significantly improved as well as soil porosity and root forks at 0-10 cm. These changes strengthened root-soil interaction and improved tomato yield per plant by 22.47% and 19.38% under 20 cm and 30 cm of buried depth, respectively, compared to surface drip irrigation. Therefore, the responses of bacterial community and root-soil interaction to drip tape buried depth of 20 cm and 30 cm are proven to be beneficial for the increasing of tomato production.
Quantifying Changes in Plant Species Diversity in a Savanna Ecosystem Through Observed and Remotely Sensed Data
Authors: Chapungu Lazarus , Nhamo Luxon , Gatti Roberto Cazzolla , Chitakira Munyaradzi
Published: March 2020

This study examined the impact of climate change on plant species diversity of a savanna ecosystem, through an assessment of climatic trends over a period of forty years (1974–2014) using Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe, as a case study. The normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used as a proxy for plant species diversity to cover for the absence of long-term historical plant diversity data. Observed precipitation and temperature data collected over the review period were compared with the trends in NDVI to understand the impact of climate change on plant species diversity over time. The nonaligned block sampling design was used as the sampling framework, from which 198 sampling plots were identified. Data sources included satellite images, field measurements, and direct observations. Temperature and precipitation had significant (p < 0.05) trends over the period under study. However, the trend for seasonal total precipitation was not significant but declining. Significant correlations (p < 0.001) were identified between various climate variables and the Shannon index of diversity. NDVI was also significantly correlated to the Shannon index of diversity. The declining trend of plant species in savanna ecosystems is directly linked to the decreasing precipitation and increasing temperatures.
Exploring the Impact of Sustainability on Corporate Financial Performance Using Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Keskin Ayşe İrem , Dincer Banu , Dincer Caner
Published: March 2020

The impact of sustainability on corporate financial performance has been an important subject of both academic and professional debate since the 1990s. However, there is a lack of consensus in the literature, and studies from developing countries remain scarce. Accordingly, this study uses discriminant analysis to shed light on the variables that discriminate between sustainable and non-sustainable companies using the companies included in Borsa Istanbul (BIST100) (Istanbul Stock Exchange) and the Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index for a three-year period. Financial and market variables are used in the analysis. Financial variables include the return on equity (ROE), return on assets (ROA), leverage ratios, and company size. The analysis also incorporates market variables such as alpha, beta, volatility, earnings per share, and the price to book ratio. The results show that the relationship between sustainability and performance is significantly influenced by the company size, leverage, volatility, and price to book ratio. The large companies are considered to be more sustainable as their commitment is well recognized. In this way, they attract more investors. Therefore, their stock prices are less volatile and achieve a better price to book ratio. They obtain easy access to external financing compared to companies considered to be non-sustainable. Moreover, they are less volatile in the market and better valued by investors.
Measurement and Convergence Analysis of Inclusive Green Growth in the Yangtze River Economic Belt Cities
Authors: Chen Guannan , Yang Zhenhuang , Chen Shaohui
Published: March 2020

The inclusive green growth (IGG) model is an important tool to promote the construction of an urban ecological civilization and promote sustainable and green development, but China’s related research is still in its infancy. Targeting the problem of cross-regional research on technology set differences, this study proposes a method of combining the super-efficiency slack-based measure model and the Metafrontier Malmquist–Luenberger index to measure the IGG of 108 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB), and analyzes their convergence. Earlier research showed that, under the metafrontier, the upstream cities in the YREB have the highest level of technological efficiency, followed by the downstream and the midstream cities, while the midstream cities of the group frontier have the highest technological efficiency. The main source of China’s IGG is technological progress. The YREB has obvious σ-convergence characteristics overall and in the downstream cities, and absolute β-convergence characteristics both overall and in three basins. This research has significance as a reference for the gradual improvement of the IGG of cities in the YREB, and ultimately their overall coordinated development.
Visitors’ Perceptions towards Traditional and Regional Products in Trabzon (Turkey) and Podhale (Poland)
Authors: Hełdak Maria , Kurt Konakoğlu Sultan Sevinç , Kurtyka-Marcak Izabela , Raszka Beata , Kurdoğlu Banu Çiçek
Published: March 2020

Gastronomy tourism is defined as a type of tourism that deals with the relationship between food and beverages and culture in the context of the local culinary culture. Local dishes, recipes, and culinary culture, which express the lifestyle of cities, are an important part of tourists’ choice of destinations. According to many studies undertaken in recent years, tourists have seen an increase in the number of trips conducted to taste a cultural dish and to learn cooking techniques and cooking skills. In this study, the Trabzon (Turkey) and Podhale (Poland) regions were selected as a study area. These regions are characterised by unique, very interesting culture and art and, especially, folklore. The cuisines from Podhale and from the Trabzon region are equally attractive. The study was conducted on 151 people in Trabzon and 102 respondents in the Podhale region. The study revealed that only 15 out of 253 respondents had not heard about regional and traditional products. The authors analyzed whether people from different age groups had specific habits concerning the place of purchasing regional products in the analysed regions of Poland and Turkey. Regarding the question of whether the motivation to buy regional products was the same in households with a larger and smaller number of residents, it was found that only one correlation proved to be statistically significant: the correlation between household size and buying regional products because of their price.
Multi-Attribute Decision Making Based on Stochastic DEA Cross-Efficiency with Ordinal Variable and Its Application to Evaluation of Banks’ Sustainable Development
Authors: Liu Jinpei , Fang Mengdi , Jin Feifei , Wu Chengsong , Chen Huayou
Published: March 2020

Multi-attribute decision making (MADM) is a cognitive process for evaluating data with different attributes in order to select the optimal alternative from a finite number of alternatives. In the real world, a lot of MADM problems involve some random and ordinal variables. Therefore, in this paper, a MADM method based on stochastic data envelopment analysis (DEA) cross-efficiency with ordinal variable is proposed. First, we develop a stochastic DEA model with ordinal variable, which can derive self-efficiency and the optimal weight of each attribute for all decision making units (DMUs). To further improve its discrimination power, cross-efficiency as a significant extension is proposed, which utilizes peer DMUs’ optimal weight to evaluate the relative efficiency of each alternative. Then, based on self-efficiency and cross-efficiency of all DMUs, we construct corresponding fuzzy preference relations (FPRs) and consistent fuzzy preference relations (FPRs). In addition, we obtain the priority weight vector of all DMUs by utilizing the row wise summation technique according to the consistent FPRs. Finally, we provide a numerical example for evaluating operation performance of sustainable development of 15 listed banks in China, which illustrates the feasibility and applicability of the proposed MADM method based on stochastic DEA cross-efficiency with ordinal variable.
The Influence of Traditional Cultural Resources (TCRs) on the Communication of Clothing Brands
Authors: Fan Kuo-Kuang , Zhou Ying
Published: March 2020

Recently, traditional cultural resources (TCRs) have become a core part of enterprise clothing branding strategies. Such clothes, expressed in traditional culture, are widely accepted and recognized by audiences. Unfortunately, industry has leveraged these brands poorly and created ones that lack sign-cognition of TCRs. This has resulted in products reflecting shallow traditional cultural patterns (sign-form) rather than deeper adapted cultural expressions. The negative association resulting from this shallow and generic patterning in branding can be harmful for TCRs and damage the image of a brand in the minds of the people, thereby threatening the survival and long-term development of the brand. In order to solve this problem, this study divides the solution into three steps: (1) defining and understanding sign-meaning and sign-function in TCRs from the context of existing literature; (2) assessing, evaluating and breaking down sign-meanings, via in-depth interviews, into several sign-production sub-categories: (a) cultural attribution orientation; (b) knowledge perception orientation; and (c) stakeholders orientation; (3) Utilizing a typical brand development case study to demonstrate how these sign-meaning sub-categories can be help a brand better communicate with its audience. Firstly, it is noted that cultural attribution orientation: (a) expands the notion of brand culture; (b) promotes the movement of the design language of a brand from a dependent development into an independent development; and (c) connects the brand with potential audiences through a cultural gene transmission. Secondly, it is noted that knowledge perception orientation not only expands the foundation of expert groups but also provides TCRs-related to platforms of learning for audiences (e.g., to convey the brand’s social reputation of responsibility through educational communication). Thirdly, stakeholder orientations provide a foundation for brand integration with commercial resources and thus transform the brand to combine with social, commercial and industrial forms of collaboration. Beyond these three sub-categorizations, the study shows that sign-functions of TCRs can have an influence on cultural transformation, academic cohesion and social connection for clothing brands. This study provides a new perspective on TCRs with respect to sign-meaning and sign-function. TCRs can help clothing brands expand to reach audiences of traditional communication media, such as fashion shows. They can also help establish a more stable community mode of communication for non-commercial purposes.
Relationship between Leg Strength and Balance and Lean Body Mass. Benefits for Active Aging
Authors: Castillo-Rodríguez Alfonso , Onetti-Onetti Wanesa , Sousa Mendes Rui , Luis Chinchilla-Minguet José
Published: March 2020

Physical activity (PA) can bring incalculable benefits to people throughout the aging process. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between the leg and arm strength, body composition and balance of elderly people. Twenty-one people (9 men and 12 women) over 60 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. Bioimpedance tests were carried out to obtain body mass data, manual dynamometer tests and the lower limbs test were conducted to obtain strength values, and the stork balance stand test was conducted to assess static balance. As a result, medium-high correlation coefficients were obtained between the aforementioned dependent variables. The highest value corresponded to the relationship between the results of the dominant hand strength test (right hand in all participants) and the lean body mass (LBM) of the participant (R2 = 75%, p < 0.001). The results indicated that strength capacity, recorded by dynamometry, and balance ability have a direct relationship with the body composition of the subject, especially with their lean body mass. These data suggest that a greater lean body mass can provide greater strength and balance in the elderly, so it would improve or have greater duration the functionality and independence of the person, thereby justifying direct benefits in people and indirect benefits in public administrations that finance these social issues.
Life Cycle Cost Assessment of Electric Vehicles: A Review and Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ayodele Bamidele Victor , Mustapa Siti Indati
Published: March 2020

The transportation sector has been reported as a key contributor to the emissions of greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Hence, the need for the introduction of electric vehicles (EVs) into the transportation sector. However, the competitiveness of the EVs with the conventional internal combustion engine vehicles has been a bone of contention. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is an important tool that can be employed to determine the competitiveness of a product in its early stage of production. This review examines different published articles on LCCA of EVs using Scopus and Web of Science databases. The time trend of the published articles from 2001 to 2019 was examined. Moreover, the LCC obtained from the different models of EVs were compared. There was a growing interest in research on the LCC of EVs as indicated by the upward increase in the number of published articles. A variation in the LCC of the different EVs studied was observed to depend on several factors. Based on the LCC, EVs were found not yet competitive with conventional internal combustion engine cars due to the high cost of batteries. However, advancement in technologies with incentives could bring down the cost of EV batteries to make it competitive in the future.
Overcoming the Blockchain Oracle Problem in the Traceability of Non-Fungible Products
Authors: Caldarelli Giulio , Rossignoli Cecilia , Zardini Alessandro
Published: March 2020

Blockchain implications within the sustainability domain are rapidly arousing the interest of researchers and institutions. However, despite the avalanche of articles, papers, and recently published books, innovation in the blockchain domain is still heavily influenced by light literature, such as news, articles, opinion posts, and white papers. Lacking a homogeneous literature background, case studies often fall into storytelling, providing mere descriptions of the facts according to the writers’ impressions and opinions. We therefore investigate blockchain adoption for sustainable purposes through a case study while remaining firmly grounded in three main theoretical literature streams: knowledge management, knowledge infrastructure, and trust. Since blockchain interaction with the real world is managed by oracles, addressing the oracle problem is essential in order to evaluate the effectiveness of blockchain for sustainability issues. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other paper has efficiently addressed this subject or even mentioned it. Recognizing its scarce consideration in the literature, the oracle problem will be analyzed in both theoretical and practical terms, thereby providing a way to solve the issues related to non-fungible products in the supply chain. Choice over the selected case study was made in light of the divergence in motives for the adoption of blockchain (economic over social), which makes the results more inferable at a broader scale and offers an insight into how sustainable innovations can also be economically viable.
Selection of Additives and Fibers for Improving the Mechanical and Safety Properties of Porous Concrete Pavements through Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Analysis
Authors: Elizondo-Martínez Eduardo-Javier , Andrés-Valeri Valerio-Carlos , Rodríguez-Hernández Jorge , Sangiorgi Cesare
Published: March 2020

Despite the number of environmental advantages that porous concrete (PC) pavements can provide, they are mainly used in light-traffic roads, parking lots and sidewalks due to their low mechanical strength. This research focuses on the common additives employed in PC pavements, according to a literature review, with the aim of increasing their mechanical strength while maintaining an acceptable infiltration capacity. The results demonstrated that the combination of superplasticizers and air-entraining additives can provide indirect tensile strength values over 2.50 MPa, with an infiltration capacity over 0.40 cm/s. In addition, polypropylene fibers were seen to provide very good safety properties, preserving some structural integrity in the case of failure. All mixtures studied obtained outstanding skid resistance results under both dry and wet conditions.
Measuring the Meta Efficiency and Its Determinants on Efficiency in the Korean Coffee Shop Franchise
Authors: Park Doo-Young , Choi Kanghwa , Kang Dae-Han
Published: March 2020

Previous applications of DEA (data envelopment analysis) models in the field of franchising have been scarce. In particular, measurement and analysis of the operational efficiency of coffee shop franchisors in the explosively growing coffee market in Korea is required. In this study, we categorize 29 Korean coffee shop franchisors into three groups according to their number of franchisees and employ the metafrontier analysis to measure the efficiency of coffee shop franchisors from 2015 to 2018. Based on the results of metafrontier DEA, this study identifies sources of inefficiency within individual coffee shop franchisors to provide insights for coffee franchise operators and investigates efficiency differences between small-chain and medium-chain coffee shop franchisors. Furthermore, the results of bootstrapped truncated regression provide that the external environmental factors affecting the efficiency of each individual group are totally different patterns depending on the franchise group. Based on the analysis results, this study suggests strategic initiatives tailored to individual coffee shop groups to enhance their operating efficiency and identifies the principal operational drivers of the environmental variables to achieve sustainable growth.
Individual Factors Influencing Acceptability for Environmental Policies: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Ejelöv Emma , Nilsson Andreas
Published: March 2020

To facilitate an understanding of why some environmental policies are acceptable to private citizens and why some are not, we review individual factors that influence the acceptability of environmental policy measures. The factors are categorized in demographic factors, such as age and gender, personal factors such as values and ideology, and policy specific beliefs such as perceptions of how fair or effective a policy is. The reviewed studies indicate that demographic factors generally have small effects on acceptability, that ideology seems to be a consistent predictor among personal factors, and that policy specific beliefs may be effective in explaining acceptability but that the relative importance of the specific beliefs may vary between policy contexts. However, we note methodological concerns in the field of environmental policy acceptability that limit the conclusions that can be drawn from reviews or meta-analyses. We end by giving suggestions for how this field can move forward to provide policy makers with more detailed tools on how to design acceptable environmental policies, for example by introducing more experimental designs, and the standardization of targeting factors, as well as acceptability measures and the improved categorizations of policy tools.
The Effects of Live Platform Exterior Design on Sustainable Impulse Buying: Exploring the Mechanisms of Self-Efficacy and Psychological Ownership
Authors: Gong Xiaoxiao , Ye Zuoliang , Liu Kuo , Wu Na
Published: March 2020

The sensory upgrading facilitated by live platforms, such as YouTube Live, Twitch, and Periscope, can facilitate much better interactions and understanding between a product, its brand, and the user. The question of how to enhance sustainable marketing effects using exterior design is currently a major topic in the live streaming marketing sector. The effect of the exterior design of a live platform on the impulse purchases of its consumers has rarely been discussed by academic research. Accordingly, based on the theory of self-determination, this study explored the direct effects of exterior design, self-efficacy, psychological ownership, and impulse buying by using multiple linear regression, and examined the indirect effects of these variables using the structural equation model. In this study, 534 samples were collected from live consumers, and our hypotheses were verified by employing hierarchical regression. As revealed from the results obtained, the self-efficacy and psychological ownership exhibited by consumers exerted synchronous and chain mediating effects on the relationships between the exterior design of the platform and consumer impulse buying. To enhance this marketing effect, live platforms should focus on designing pleasant exterior clues, creating a better psychological atmosphere, and the enhancement of consumers’ self-efficacy.
Sustainable Innovation in Small Medium Enterprises: The Impact of Knowledge Management on Organizational Innovation through a Mediation Analysis by Using SEM Approach
Authors: Abbas Jaffar , Zhang Qingyu , Hussain Iftikhar , Akram Sabahat , Afaq Aneeqa , Shad Muhammad Afzal
Published: March 2020

This current study is among the very few investigations, which seeks the relationship between knowledge management and sustainable organizational innovation in garment business firms. This investigation focused on examining how organizational learning mediates the relationship between knowledge management and sustainable organizational innovation. This research establishes that knowledge management and organizational innovation procedures are integral parts of the progress and survival of the organizations. The received data of this population reports on the garment firms, operating their businesses in Lahore and Gujranwala. The study applied a stratified random sampling method for data collection and employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the hypothesized relationships. The results specify that knowledge management shows a significant positive association with organizational learning, which in turn reveals a positive linkage to sustainable organizational innovation in SMEs of the garment industry. The study results also specify that organizational learning mediates the relationship between knowledge management and sustainable organizational innovation. This research survey identifies the significance of knowledge management and organizational learning in executing the process of organizational innovation, and it helps business managers to understand organizational learning as a mediator, which in turn indicates the benefits of knowledge management in achieving sustainable organizational innovation. This review provides an empirical indication of original data to investigate the linkage between knowledge management, sustainable innovation process, and organizational learning culture in the Pakistani garment sector. The generalizability of the study fallouts is restricted to the garment industry, and it offers valuable insights for imminent researchers.
The Impacts of High-speed Rail on Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from the Central Part of China
Authors: Guo Beibei , Ke Jinchuan
Published: March 2020

To give full play to the role of high-speed rail (HSR) in promoting sustainable economic development, the models that can calculate and describe the impacts of HSR on the sustainable economy are required. However, little attention has been paid so far to building such models. To address this, the paper puts forward the definition of sustainable economic development, especially that of China. Based on the definition, the paper proposes the indicators of sustainable economic development for China from industry and labor force perspectives. Compared with the previous literature, these indicators take into account the behavior of enterprises and labor forces as individuals rather than as groups, which is more explanatory. HSR, as the main factor to improve the level of transportation technology and accessibility, is incorporated into the analytical framework. Then, we build decision-making behavior models of single enterprise and labor force under market equilibrium to get the relationship between HSR and indicators. Compared with the previous literature, the methods within the paper not only fully consider the interests of enterprises and labor forces, but also considers the interaction between industries and the trade of commodities in different cities/regions. The evidence from the central part of China shows that the model can effectively reveal the relationship between HSR and indicators. The paper gives new perspectives to study the relationship between HSR and sustainable economic development. Based on the findings herein, we offer recommendations for how HSR can promote sustainable economic development effectively.
FV Vectors as Alternative Gene Vehicles for Gene Transfer in HSCs
Authors: Simantirakis Emmanouil , Tsironis Ioannis , Vassilopoulos George
Published: March 2020

Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) are a unique population of cells, capable of reconstituting the blood system of an organism through orchestrated self-renewal and differentiation. They play a pivotal role in stem cell therapies, both autologous and allogeneic. In the field of gene and cell therapy, HSCs, genetically modified or otherwise, are used to alleviate or correct a genetic defect. In this concise review, we discuss the use of SFVpsc_huHSRV.13, formerly known as Prototype Foamy Viral (PFV or FV) vectors, as vehicles for gene delivery in HSCs. We present the properties of the FV vectors that make them ideal for HSC delivery vehicles, we review their record in HSC gene marking studies and their potential as therapeutic vectors for monogenic disorders in preclinical animal models. FVs are a safe and efficient tool for delivering genes in HSCs compared to other retroviral gene delivery systems. Novel technological advancements in their production and purification in closed systems, have allowed their production under cGMP compliant conditions. It may only be a matter of time before they find their way into the clinic.
Anestesia para suscetíveis à Hipertermia Maligna
Authors: Cunha Luiz Bomfim Pereira da
Published: March 2020

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Impacto das alterações motoras nas atividades de vida diária na Doença de Parkinson
Authors: Coelho Marina Segismundo , Patrizzi Lislei Jorge , Oliveira Ana Paula Rocha de
Published: March 2020

Introduªo: A doena de Parkinson (DP) resulta em perturbaıes no tnus, posturas anormais e movimentos involuntÆrios e na realizaªo de atividades diÆrias devido alteraªo da marcha. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o impacto das alteraıes motoras nas atividades de vida diÆria em pacientes com DP. MØtodo: Foram avaliados 5 pacientes com diagnstico clnico de DP, com idade media de 66,23 –10,13 anos e tempo de sintomas maior que 6 anos. Como instrumento de avaliaªo foram utilizados os itens de Atividades de Vida DiÆria e Exploraªo Motora da Escala Unificada de Avaliaªo da Doena de Parkinson (UPDRS) e a AnÆlise CinemÆtica Qualitativa atravØs da Escala de AnÆlise da Marcha Anormal modificada e adaptada (EAMAMA). Resultados: A UPDRS evidenciou mØdias de 22 pontos de atividades de vida diÆria e a exploraªo motora uma mØdia de 26,04 e a EAMA-MA evidenciou-se mØdia de 16,28 (– 3,9). Conclusªo. Pde-se verificar que hÆ um comprometimento na atividade motora, incluindo atividades de vida diÆria e marcha nesses pacientes.
Alterações neurológicas fisiológicas ao envelhecimento afetam o sistema mantenedor do equilíbrio
Authors: Meireles Aline Estrela , Pereira Lívia Maria de Souza , Oliveira Thalita Galdino de , Christofoletti Gustavo , Fonseca Adriano L.
Published: March 2020

Introdução. Nos dias atuais, o indivíduo chega aos 80 e 90 anos em boas condições de saúde, não podendo evitar, contudo, que seu organismo sofra as alterações fisiológicas ao envelhecimento. Além disso, tais alterações são potencializadas quando associadas a processos patológicos. Objetivo. O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma revisão sobre as alterações neurológicas do envelhecimento, especificamente no que se refere ao sistema mantenedor do equilíbrio humano. Método. A busca na literatura envolveu as bases de dados SciELO, LILACS e MEDLine, por meio dos artigos científicos que apresentaram os unitermos “envelhecimento”, “distúrbios neurológicos”, “instabilidade” e/ou “equilíbrio”. Resultados e Conclusões. Por meio dos artigos analisados, foi possível constar que diversos fatores - alguns de etiologia multifatorial - afetam o equilíbrio estático e dinâmico humano. O conhecimento de tais alterações é essencial para promoção de intervenção terapêutica nos diversos níveis de assistência.
NON DRUG THERAPY IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION ROLE OF FERMENTED SOYBEAN NATTOKINASE NSK-ND
Authors: Huynh Van Minh , Tran Huu Dung , Pham Duy Khiem , Nguyen Vu Phong , Nguyen Nhat Quang , Ho Anh Tuan , Hoang Anh Tien
Published: March 2020

Background: So far no studies in Vietnam on the effects of Nattokinase on blood pressure. We implement the project to assess the effects of Nattokinase on blood pressure, markers of atherosclerosis, lipid profile. Subjects and methods: Subjects aged 18 to 70 years old was diagnosed with hypertension and pre-hypertension levels 1, randomly divided into two groups: group Nattokinase and placebo. Evaluate the atherosclerosis with index pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle-index forearm (ABI) by machine OMRON Office 1000 plus. Results: A total of 71 subjects, mean age 47.66 ± 9.37, in which 37 subjects Nattokinase group (92.50%), 34 subjects placebo group (85.00%) meet the 8-week study period research. Nattokinase reduce significantly the blood pressure in the time of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks. (p <0.001). Nattokinase reduce also PWV and PP more than placebo (p <0.05), stabilising total cholesterol and LDL-C more than placebo (p <0:01), however, decreased glucose without statistical significance (p> 0.05). The urea and serum creatinine concentration, SGPT and SGOT no significant change (p> 0.05). Conclusion: Nattokinase NSK-SD had an effect to lower blood pressure after 8 weeks of treatment. Nattokinase also reduces the index atherosclerosis, lipid parameters before and after treatment. There were no complications and significant side effects by Nattokinase. It may be used in mild hypertension as a non-drug therapy combined with lifestyle change.

Key words: Nattokinase, blood pressure, hypertension, pre-hypertension, arterial hypertension
RESEARCH ON CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMENT RESULT OF PHARYNGITIS AT HUE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Authors: Dang Thanh , Tran Ho Thoai My , Le Quoc Anh
Published: March 2020

Background: To study on types, favorable factors, clinical characteristics and treatment result of pharyngitis to early diagnose, properly treat and prevent complications of pharyngitis. Patients and method: 171 patients with pharyngitis were studied by prospective and descriptive study with clinical interventions. Results: Age group from 16 - 30 occupied the highest rate 52.1%. Sex ratio male/female as 1/1.3. Acute pharyngitis 29.8%, chronic pharyngitis 68.5%. The most common favorable factor was sinusitis 37.4%. Common reason for visit was odynophagia 59.1%. Average disease duration of acute type was 6.9 ± 6.6 days, of chronic type was 4.1 ± 3.0 years. Fever showed rate 31.6%. Functional symptoms of pharyngitis including dysphagia 89.4%, odynophagia 73.1%, cough 40.9%, sputum 32.2%, itchy throat 28.7%. Common physical symptoms were red throat mucosa 71.3%, chronic lesions of throat mucosa 66.9%. Complication was otitis media 5.2%, broncho-tracheo-laryngitis 0.7%. Treatment results: recovery 46.2%, reduce disease 50.3%, no recovery 3.5%. Recovery showed the highest rate in acute pharyngitis (92.2%) and in chronic pharyngitis whose favorable factors were simultaneously treated (70.5%). Conclusions: Pharyngitis occurred the most frequently in young people, male and female sex. The most common type of pharyngitis was chronic. Recovery rate of acute pharyngitis was higher than chronic pharyngitis. Treatment of favorable factors made increase the recovery rate of chronic pharyngitis.

Key words: Pharyngitis
STUDY OF HS-CRP IN PEOPLE OF HUE CITY
Authors: Hoang Anh Tien , Le Kim Phuong
Published: March 2020

Background: High sensitivity C reactive protein is a protein that occur in acute phase of inflammation. hs-CRP is considered as a predict factor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. Framingham risk score is a strong predictor of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk and death. In Viet Nam there was still few studies about hs-CRP and Framingham risk score. Objective: To study the concentration of hs-CRP in peoples in Hue city, also the correlation of hs-CRP and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factor, Framingham risk score. Methods: Clinical data of 1471 people age from 30-74 living in Hue city. We do clinical exam, paraclinical exam. We find out the correlations between hs-CRP and the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factor, the correlations between hs-CRP and Framingham risk score. Results: (i) The concentration of hs-CRP of people in Hue city was 1.54 ± 3.81 mg/l. The concentration of hs-CRP in hyper cholesterol, hyper LDL, hypertension, smoke, obesity and hypo HDL group was significant higher than in the others groups (p<0.05). There was positive significant correlation between the concentration of hs-CRP and systolic blood pressure r=0.061(p< 0.05); (ii) There was positive significant correlation betwee the concentration of hs-CRP and cardiovascular risk (r=0.083; p<0.01) cerebrovascular risk (r=0.068; p<0.05). Conclusions: hs-CRP was a predict risk factor in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular.

Key words: hs-CRP, Framingham, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular
RESULTS OF TREATMENT FOR LUMBAR SPONDYLOSIS BY SPINAL RELAXING METHOD AND ELECTRONIC ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH REMEDY “DOC HOAT TANG KY SINH”
Authors: Thai Thi Ngoc Dung , Le Pham Ba Khanh
Published: March 2020

Background: Lumbar spondylosis is a popular chronic disease, it occurs for a long time and affects to your working ability and daily life. Spinal relaxing method is an effective physio-therapy. Objectives: comparing between results of treatment for lumbar spondylosis by spinal relaxing method and electronic acupuncture combined with herbal. Materials and Methods: 60 patients distribute to two groups, group I includes 30 patients (used spinal relaxing method and herbal), group II includes 30 patients (used electronic acupuncture and herbal). Results: type A(recovery) of group 1 occupies 80%, type B(relieving) of group 1 occupies 16.7%; type A(recovery) of group 2 occupies 86.7%, type B(relieving) of group 2 occupies 13.3%. Conclusion: The ratios of recovery and relieving in 2 groups is equal.

Keywords: Spondylosis, spinal relaxing, electronic acupuncture
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF THE ELECTRONIC - ACUPUNCTURE OF “HOATUA JAJIE” POINTS ON THE TREATMENT OF LUMBAR WAIST SYNDROME
Authors: Nguyen Thi Tu Anh , Tran Thien An
Published: March 2020

Background: Lumbar waist syndrome is one of the most common diseases in the world as well as in Vietnam. Objectives: Evaluating the effects of the electronic – acupuncture of combine with “Hoatua Jajie” points on treatment for lumbar waist syndrome. Methods: The sample is 64 patients diagnosed lumbar waist syndrome, divided equally into two groups of study and control group. The treatment term had lasted for 15 days. Results: The study group has better result (p < 0.05) with very good level (25%) good (43.75%) and moderate (31.25%). There was not any unexpected effects observed in this trial. Conclusion: The electronic – acupuncture of combine with “Hoatua Jajie” points is safe method and has good effect on treatment for lumbar waist syndrome.

Key words: Lumbar waist syndrome, “Hoatua Jajie” points, electronic – acupuncture
EFFECTS OF “HOE HOA TAN II” REMEDY IN THE TREATMENT OF INTERNAL HAEMORROHIDS GRADE I, II AND III
Authors: Nguyen Van Anh , Le Van Nhan , Phan Nguyen Nhu Phuong
Published: March 2020

Objectives: To investigate and evaluate the therapeutic effects of Hoe hoa tan II in the treatment of internal haemorroids grade I, II and III. Ingredients of the remedy include: Hoe Hoa (Styphonolonium japonicum), Chi xac (Fructus citri Aurantii), Hau phac (Magnolia offinalis), Tran bi (Citrus deliciosa Tenore), Thuong thuat (Atractylodes lancea), O mai (Armeniaca vulgaris Lamk), Cam thao (Clycyrrhiza uralensis), Duong quy (Radix Angelicae Sinensis). Subjects and methods: Randomised controlled study (RCT) has been conducted on 60 patients which were divided into two groups, i.e. the first 30 patient group were treated with Hoe hoa tan II remedy 20 g, and the second 30 patient group were treated with Daflon 500 mg in the course of 14 days. Results: Study showed that Hoe hoa tan II has helped improve symptoms of internal haemorroids grade I, II and III such as bleeding, anal exudation, pain, reducing the size of the haemorroid tissues. The remedy has been shown to have the most significant effect on relieving constipation which is typical in haemorroids. The study also revealed no unwanted effects caused by this formula. Conclusion: Hoe hoa tan II can be therapeutically used to treat internal haemorroids grade I, II and III without causing any serious side effects.

Key words: Hoe hoa tan II, internal haemorroids grade I, II, III.
EVALUATION OF THE TREATMENT EFFECTS BY BOA ELECTRICAL ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH “QUYEN TY THANG” REMEDY IN THE TREATMENT OF PAIN AND LIMITED MOVEMENT SYMPTOMS OF DEGENERATIVE CERVICAL SPINE
Authors: Le Thi Dieu Hang
Published: March 2020

Background: Degenerative cervical spine is a common disease, clinical symptoms are various and complex including pain and limited movement symptoms that affect the health and quality life of \the patients. Purposes: To evaluate the treatment effect of pain and limited movement symptoms of degenerative cervical spine by Boa electrical acupuncture combined with “Quyen Ty Thang” remedy. Materials: 64 patients were diagnosed as degenerative cervical spine, were examined and treated at faculty of acupuncture and life nurturing of Central Traditional Medicine Hospital in Ha Noi. Methods: Study group: Boa electrical acupuncture combined with “Quyen Ty Thang”, control group: electrical acupuncture combined with “Quyen Ty Thang”. Results: Average pain score of the study group was 7.69 ± 1.575 and decrease until the 30th day was 1.03 ± 0.647; control group was 7.59 ± 1.542 and decrease until 30th day was 2.19 ± 0.98. The difference between two groups was statistically significant (p <0.05). Movement of the cervical spine was improved in both groups, but higher in the study group with statistically significant of difference (p <0.05). Conclusion: The combination of Boa electrical acupuncture and h “Quyen Ty Thang” remedy is more effective than electrical acupuncture only.

Key words: Degenerative cervical spine, quyen ty thang remedy, Boa electrical acupuncture
STUDY ON RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SERUM ANTI-CARDIOLIPIN ANTIBODIES AND BRAIN LESION VOLUMES, SEVERITY IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION
Authors: Le Chuyen , Tran Thi Minh Diem , Phan Thi Minh Phuong , Le Thanh Hai , Tu Thi Minh Anh
Published: March 2020

Objective: (1) To determine positive percentage and levels of serum anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with acute cerebral infarction. (2) To determine survey on relationship between serum anticardiolipin antibodies and brain lesion volumes, severity in these patients. Subjects and Methods: cross-sectional descriptive study, 68 patients with acute cerebral infarction at Hue Medical University Hospital. The quantitative analysis of serum IgM, IgG anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies was performed by indirect ELISA technique. Data processing method according to usual medical statistics and SPSS 16.0. Results: The positive percentage of IgG aCL antibody was 20,6% and IgM aCL antibody was 7,4% in acute cerebral infarction patients. The average levels of the aCL-IgG (+) in acute cerebral infarction patients was 33,98 ± 29,42 GPL/mL and aCL-IgM (+) was 26,58 ±10,30 MPL/mL. There was a close correlation between aCL-IgG levels and brain lesion volumes (r = 0,709; p <0,01) and close inverse correlation between aCL-IgG levels and Glasgow coma scale (r = -0,643; p <0,01). There was an average correlation between aCL-IgM levels and brain lesion volumes (r = 0,407; p <0,01); and average inverse correlation between aCL-IgM levels and Glasgow coma scale (r = -0,393; p <0,01). Conclusion: levels of the aCL-IgG (+) was 33,98 ± 29,42 GPL/mL and aCL-IgM (+) was 26,58 ±10,30 MPL/mL in acute cerebral infarction patients. Serum aCL levels correlated to brain lesion volumes and severity of acute cerebral infarction patients.

Key words: anti-cardiolipin, aCL, acute cerebral infarction