bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUSTENTABILIDAD TÓPICOS SELECTOS 2023 En el marco del centenario de la UAAAN
Authors:   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Moreno Reséndez Alejandro , Reyes Carrillo José Luis ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Antuna Grijalva Oralia ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Leos Escobedo Lucio ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, García Carrillo Mario ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Rodríguez Dimas Norma ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Alvarado Sánchez Brenda ,   Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Macías Pérez José Roberto ,   Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Reyes Munguía Abigail ,   Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ramírez Moreno Agustina ,   Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Marszalek Jolanta Elzebieta ,   Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Vargas González Gabriela ,   Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Flores Loyola Erika ,   Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Pérez Esparza Isidro ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Franco Lara Erika ,   Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro - Unidad Laguna, Sandoval Chávez Rebeca ,   Universidad Politécnica de Gómez Palacio, Rubio Espino Diana Maricela ,   Universidad Politécnica de Gómez Palacio, Gaucin Delgado Jazmín Monserrat ,   Universidad Politécnica de Gómez Palacio, Vera Contreras Oscar Eduardo ,   Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, González Guerrero Dalia Patricia ,   Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Pineda Escareño María Guadalupe ,   Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila
Published: May 2024

La Organización Mundial de la Salud y la FAO consideran que el consumo y la producción de alimentos inocuos reportan beneficios inmediatos y a largo plazo para las personas, el planeta y la economía. En el largo plazo, se podrá sostener el acceso a alimentos inocuos y saludables para todos si se adoptan innovaciones digitales, se promueven soluciones científicas y se respeta el conocimiento tradicional que ha sobrevivido al paso del tiempo. Nuestros sistemas alimentarios deben producir suficiente comida inocua para todos. El hecho de reconocer las conexiones sistémicas que existen entre la salud humana, la sanidad animal y vegetal, el medio ambiente y la economía contribuirá a que podamos suplir las necesidades del futuro. Las acciones locales basadas en soluciones equitativas, a menudo novedosas, así como el fortalecimiento de la colaboración multisectorial, son esenciales para alcanzar los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Los rubros contemplados en esta obra que inciden en de manera significativa en la sustentabilidad y que se abordan a profundidad son el “Vermicompostaje de biosólidos y aplicación como sustrato durante el desarrollo de la Noa (Agave victoriae-reginae)”, “Relación de la sustentabilidad con las acciones de las empresas que cotizan en la bolsa de valores”, “Plantas medicinales: alternativa sostenible para el tratamiento terapéutico de artritis reumatoide” y Extracción de enzimas B-lactamasas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa y su potencial uso en la detección de antibióticos.
1972 – Três intervenções no património e a atualidade possível no final do Estado Novo
Authors: Pedreirinho José Manuel
Published: May 2024

A partir de la segunda mitad de los años sesenta, se aceleraron las transformaciones sociales y económicas, que propiciaron nuevos conceptos que fueron la base de muchas reuniones auspiciadas bajo los planteamientos de UNESCO e ICOMOS, que habían sido creados recientemente. A partir de ellos fue posible crear una nueva manera de reflejar la inmensidad de la complejidad de las cuestiones que plantea la necesidad de recuperar, repensar el patrimonio.
Como resultado de esas múltiples reflexiones, en 1972, en los que serían los últimos años de vigencia del régimen del Estado Nuevo (EN) en Portugal, y con las limitaciones impuestas por el, se publicaron las tres obras aquí analizadas. Todas ellas ya reflejan una nueva forma de abordar el patrimonio.Sus autores fueron Fernando Távora (1923-2005), Bartolomeu Costa Cabral (1929) y Alcino Soutinho (1930-2013).
Các yếu tố ảnh hưởng lên tỷ lệ thu nhập lãi cận biên: Bằng chứng từ các ngân hàng thương mại cổ phần Việt Nam
Authors: Bùi Đan Thanh  , Nguyễn Ngọc Huyền  , Lê Quý Trường
Published: May 2024

Bài nghiên cứu phân tích các biến số tác động đến tỷ lệ thu nhập lãi cận biên (TNLCB) của 25 ngân hàng thương mại (NHTM) cổ phần Việt Nam giai đoạn 2012–2021. Các mô hình bao gồm Pooled OLS, FEM, REM và FGLS đã được sử dụng để nghiên cứu. Kết quả nghiên cứu thực nghiệm cho thấy, quy mô vốn chủ sở hữu (VCSH), tỷ lệ an toàn vốn và tỷ lệ lạm phát có tác động cùng chiều đến hiệu quả tài chính của ngân hàng, ngược lại hiệu quả quản lý chi phí có tác động ngược chiều. Ngoài ra, không có mối quan hệ giữa quy mô ngân hàng, tỷ lệ dự phòng rủi ro tín dụng, mức độ thanh khoản, dịch Covid-19 và tốc độ tăng trưởng kinh tế. Bài viết đề xuất các hàm ý quản trị để tăng tỷ lệ TNLCB của các ngân hàng.
Tác động của các yếu tố đặc thù và yếu tố vĩ mô đến ổn định ngân hàng của các ngân hàng thương mại Việt Nam
Authors: Lê Hà Diễm Chi  , Nguyễn Ngọc Hữu Hưng
Published: May 2024

Nghiên cứu sử dụng dữ liệu bảng cân bằng của 27 ngân hàng thương mại (NHTM) giai đoạn 2012–2022 để đánh giá tác động của các yếu tố đặc thù của ngân hàng và các yếu tố vĩ mô đến ổn định ngân hàng (OĐNH), được đại diện bởi Z-score và nợ xấu. Kết quả hồi quy bình phương tối thiểu tổng quát khả thi (Feasible generalized least squares - FGLS) và hồi quy moment tổng quát hệ thống (System generalized method of moments - SGMM) cho thấy, những yếu tố đặc thù làm gia tăng OĐNH như hiệu quả tài chính, tăng trưởng tài sản cố định, quy mô ngân hàng, vốn chủ sở hữu; trong khi đó rủi ro tài trợ, hiệu quả chi phí hoạt động, dự phòng rủi ro tín dụng, đòn bẩy tài chính, khe hở tài trợ là những yếu tố làm giảm tính ổn định của ngân hàng. Tăng trưởng kinh tế và lạm phát gia tăng là yếu tố khiến ngân hàng trở nên bất ổn hơn. Kết quả nêu bật tầm quan trọng những yếu tố đặc thù của ngân hàng, từ đó gợi ý cho nhà quản trị ngân hàng các khuyến nghị nhằm tăng ổn định của ngân hàng.
Professional education and training of public health and preventive medicine specialists in Canada
Authors: Pawa J , Basu D
Published: May 2024

Public health and preventive medicine (PHPM) specialist physicians focus on the population rather than individuals as their patients. These specialists assess the health status of a community and subsequently develop, implement and evaluate effective interventions at the population level to improve health. This work brings together their medical expertise, population health approach and management/ leadership skills. The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) states that ‘the Public Health and Preventive Medicine or community medicine (as called previously) specialist uses population health knowledge and skills to play leading and collaborative roles in the maintenance and improvement of the health and well-being of the community’. It is a broad speciality that requires strong generalist skills including in preventive medicine, management, epidemiology, emergency response, health promotion, and health protection.
Methodological foundations of the study of state control in the field of insolvency (bankruptcy): analysis and evaluation
Authors: Pivovarova Olga Vladimirovna , Sheludko Artem Sergeevich
Published: May 2024

The subject of the study is to analyze and evaluate methodological approaches to the study of state control in the field of insolvency (bankruptcy). The article presents the author's established positions on the classification of methods of cognition in the field of theory of state and law. The article presents the author's established positions on the classification of methods of cognition in the field of theory of state and law. The authors of the article analyzed the essence and specifics of the implementation of general philosophical, general scientific and private scientific methods, highlighted their advantages and disadvantages in terms of applicability in the field of insolvency (bankruptcy). The research methodology is based on the use of general scientific and dialectical methods of cognition, as well as scientific techniques such as analysis, comparison and generalization. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the substantiation of the author's methodological approach to the study of state control in the field of insolvency (bankruptcy), consisting of philosophical (dialectical method), general scientific (analysis, synthesis, idealization, historical, systemic and logical methods), private scientific (statistical and cybernetic methods, institutional, functional-structural and communicative analysis, sociological research) and special legal (comparative legal, formal logical) methods. The authors also revealed the specifics of the application of each group of methods in the field of state control in the field of insolvency (bankruptcy). It is proved that the presented methodology makes it possible to comprehensively study the institutional and legislative support for the functioning of the administrative and legal mechanism of state control in the field of insolvency (bankruptcy) and develop relevant directions and measures to improve it.
Ion irradiation modulated magnetic properties of materials and its applications
Authors: Guo Xi , Zuo Ya-Lu , Cui Bao-Shan , Shen Tie-Long , Sheng Yan-Bin , Xi Li ,   School of Physical Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000,   Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000
Published: May 2024

Ion irradiation, a technology in which ion beams are used to irradiate materials, has high manipulation precision, short processing time, and many applications in the fields of material modification, chip manufacturing, biomedicine, energy and chemicals. Especially in magnetic material modification, customized modifications of magnetic materials can be achieved by precisely controlling the energy, dose, and direction of the ion beam. To further enhance the performances of magnetic materials and explore new magnetic devices, this study focuses on how ion irradiation precisely modulates various magnetic interactions and the analysis of its influence on the spin Hall effect and magnetic structural dynamics. Firstly, the latest research achievements are emphasized of ion irradiation regulated magnetic characteristics such as perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, exchange bias, and RKKY interaction. These regulation methods are crucial for understanding and optimizing the microstructure and properties of magnetic materials. Secondly, the significant role played by ion irradiation in regulating spin-orbit torque devices is discussed in detail. These applications demonstrate the potential of ion irradiation technology in designing high-performance magnetic storage and processing devices. Finally, the future applications of ion irradiation technology in the preparation of multifunctional magnetic sensors and magnetic media for information storage are discussed, highlighting its great enormous innovation and application potential in the field of magnetic materials.
A novel chaperone-effector-immunity system identified in uropathogenic Escherichia coli UMN026
Authors: Casiano González América , Pacheco Villanueva Arantxa , Castro-Alarcón Natividad , Méndez Julio , Oropeza Ricardo , Martínez-Santos Verónica I.
Published: May 2024

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common worldwide. According to their symptomatology, these infections are classified as pyelonephritis, cystitis, or asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB). Approximately 75–95% of UTIs are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which is an extraintestinal bacterium that possesses virulence factors for bacterial adherence and invasion in the urinary tract. In addition, UPEC possesses type 6 secretion systems (T6SS) as virulence mechanisms that can participate in bacterial competition and in bacterial pathogenicity. UPEC UMN026 carries three genes, namely, ECUMN_0231, ECUMN_0232, and ECUMN_0233, which encode three uncharacterized proteins related to the T6SS that are conserved in strains from phylogroups B2 and D and have been proposed as biomarkers of UTIs.

Aim

To analyze the frequency of the ECUMN_0231, ECUMN_0232, ECUMN_0233, and vgrG genes in UTI isolates, as well as their expression in Luria Bertani (LB) medium and urine; to determine whether these genes are related to UTI symptoms or bacterial competence and to identify functional domains on the putative proteins.

Methods

The frequency of the ECUMN and vgrG genes in 99 clinical isolates from UPEC was determined by endpoint PCR. The relationship between gene presence and UTI symptomatology was determined using the chi2 test, with p < 0.05 considered to indicate statistical significance. The expression of the three ECUMN genes and vgrG was analyzed by RT-PCR. The antibacterial activity of strain UMN026 was determined by bacterial competence assays. The identification of functional domains and the docking were performed using bioinformatic tools.

Results

The ECUMN genes are conserved in 33.3% of clinical isolates from patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic UTIs and have no relationship with UTI symptomatology. Of the ECUMN+ isolates, only five (15.15%, 5/33) had the three ECUMN and vgrG genes. These genes were expressed in LB broth and urine in UPEC UMN026 but not in all the clinical isolates. Strain UMN026 had antibacterial activity against UPEC clinical isolate 4014 (ECUMN−) and E. faecalis but not against isolate 4012 (ECUMN+). Bioinformatics analysis suggested that the ECUMN genes encode a chaperone/effector/immunity system.

Conclusions

The ECUMN genes are conserved in clinical isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and are not related to UTI symptoms. However, these genes encode a putative chaperone/effector/immunity system that seems to be involved in the antibacterial activity of strain UMN026.
Systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of the prognosis of down-staging human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma using cetuximab combined with radiotherapy instead of cisplatin combined with radiotherapy
Authors: Hu Qiong , Li Feng , Yang Kai
Published: May 2024

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab instead of cisplatin in combination with downstaging radiotherapy for papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC).

Design

Meta-analysis and systematic evaluation.

Data sources

The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases were searched up to June 8, 2023, as well as Clinicaltrials.gov Clinical Trials Registry, China Knowledge Network, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and Wiprojournal.com.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Randomized controlled trials reporting results of standard regimens of cetuximab + radiotherapy vs cisplatin + radiotherapy in treating HPV+ OPSCC were included. The primary outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), local regional failure rate (LRF), distant metastasis rate (DM), and adverse events (AE).

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. The HR and its 95% CI were used as the effect analysis statistic for survival analysis, while the OR and its 95% CI were used as the effect analysis statistic for dichotomous variables. These statistics were extracted by the reviewers and aggregated using a fixed-effects model to synthesise the data.

Results

A total of 874 relevant papers were obtained from the initial search, and five papers that met the inclusion criteria were included; a total of 1,617 patients with HPV+ OPSCC were enrolled in these studies. Meta-analysis showed that OS and PFS were significantly shorter in the cetuximab + radiotherapy group of patients with HPV+ OPSCC compared with those in the conventional cisplatin + radiotherapy group (HR = 2.10, 95% CI [1.39–3.15], P = 0.0004; HR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.40–2.29], P < 0.0001); LRF and DM were significantly increased (HR = 2.22, 95% CI [1.58–3.11], P < 0.0001; HR = 1.66, 95% CI [1.07–2.58], P = 0.02), but there was no significant difference in overall grade 3 to 4, acute and late AE overall (OR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.65–1.13], P = 0.28).

Conclusions

Cisplatin + radiotherapy remains the standard treatment for HPV+ OPSCC. According to the 7th edition AJCC/UICC criteria, low-risk HPV+ OPSCC patients with a smoking history of ≤ 10 packs/year and non-pharyngeal tumors not involved in lymphatic metastasis had similar survival outcomes with cetuximab/cisplatin + radiotherapy. However, further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether cetuximab + radiotherapy can replace cisplatin + radiotherapy for degraded treatment in individuals who meet the aforementioned characteristics, particularly those with platinum drug allergies.

Prospero registration number

CRD42023445619.
Vaccine refusal in pregnant women in Kahramanmaraş: a community-based study from Türkiye
Authors: Okyay Ramazan Azim , Kaya Erhan , Erdoğan Ayşegül
Published: May 2024

Background

The global health landscape is increasingly challenged by the rejection of childhood vaccines. This study investigates vaccination reservations and refusal among pregnant women.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, spanning January to March 2019, entailing face to face interviews with 938 pregnant women. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and probed vaccination attitudes. The decision to vaccinate the baby was treated as the dependent variable, analyzed alongside sociodemographic factors and other variables. Data underwent evaluation via descriptive analysis, the Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 27.6 years. Among them 20 (2.1%) expressed intent to either abstain from or partially vaccinate their babies, with 70% citing apprehensions regarding potential vaccine-related harm. Statistical analysis unveiled that higher economic income, elevated parental education level, fewer than two children, reliance on the Internet for vaccination information, and a lack of trust in physicians significantly correlated with vaccine refusal among pregnant women (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The study concludes that dissemination of vaccination information by the healthcare professionals, complemented by the enactment of pro-vaccine internet policies holds promise in shaping vaccination behavior.
Clinical value of serum polyunsaturated fatty acids in patients with gastric polyps
Authors: Li Nan , Qian Qiliu , Ouyang Jun , Hu Mingyue , Liu Juan , Wu Hailu , Shi Ruihua , Zheng Shiya
Published: May 2024

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are vital nutrients in human physiology and are implicated in various chronic diseases. However, the relationship between PUFAs and gastric polyps remains unclear. This study employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to assess PUFA levels in the serum of 350 patients, along with analyzing the ω-6 to ω-3 ratio. The results revealed significant differences in the levels of C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, α-C18:3, γ-C18:3, C20:1, C20:4, C20:5, ω-3-C22:5, ω-6-C22:5, and C22:6, as well as ω-6 to ω-3 ratio between the control and gasteic polyp groups. Moreover, setting the threshold for ω-6: ω-3 at 10 revealed a close correlation between polyp occurrence and this ratio. These findings suggest that PUFAs and the ω-6 to ω-3 ratio hold promise as potential early screening markers for gastric polyps. However, further research is imperative to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic potential of PUFAs in managing gastric polyps.
Transformational Leadership, Cultural Intelligence, Self-Efficacy, and Productivity among Higher Education Faculty: A Structural Model
Authors: Apdian Venus , Prado Nenita
Published: May 2024

This study aimed to assess the productivity of higher education faculty by developing a structural model incorporating predetermined factors such as transformational leadership exhibited by academic heads, the faculty's cultural intelligence, and self-efficacy. After undergoing scientific validation and reliability tests, this study utilized questionnaires in a descriptive-correlational and causal-comparative research design. Data were gathered from 500 higher education faculty in Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The results revealed a high level of productivity among higher education faculty, particularly in producing instructional tools, engaging in professional development and community service, and a moderately productive level in research and publication. Remarkably, academic heads demonstrated an excellent display of transformational leadership. Higher education faculty exhibited high levels of cultural intelligence and self-efficacy. This implies that the academic head's exemplary display of transformational leadership highlights a commendable commitment to inspiring positive change and fostering growth within the academic setting. Simultaneously, the Higher Education Faculty exhibits remarkable levels of cultural intelligence and self-efficacy, showcasing their proficiency in navigating diverse cultural landscapes and their confidence in their capabilities. Ultimately, the structural model revealed that the productivity of higher education faculty is best explained by the influence of academic heads' transformational leadership, coupled with faculty cultural intelligence and self-efficacy. This model is known as Apdian’s Model of Productivity Among Faculty in State Universities.
IN SEARCH OF THE FACTORS FOSTERING GREEN PROJECT MANAGEMENT IN NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: RESEARCH RESULTS FROM POLAND
Authors: BRAJER-MARCZAK Renata , MARCISZEWSKA Anna , ZABŁOCKA-KLUCZKA Anna
Published: May 2024

This article addresses the insufficiently researched topic of Green Project Management (GPM) in nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Factors supporting the application of GPM in NPOs can be identified among both external conditions (e.g., environmental policy, funder requirements) and internal conditions related to the specificity of the functioning of the NPO (e.g., size, forms of employment, sources of financing, project management solutions). This article aims to contribute to the discussion on the factors facilitating GPM in NPOs. The focus is specifically on the frequency of GPM practices in the areas of People, Planet, and Prosperity during project implementation. The study employed a quantitative survey using the CAWI technique; the respondents were individuals representing NPOs in Poland with project experience.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PROCESSES FOR BUSINESS SUSTIANABILITY: THE ROLE OF SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED PROJECTS
Authors: KLAUS-ROSIŃSKA Agata , WALECKA-JANKOWSKA Katarzyna , ZGRZYWA-ZIEMAK Anna
Published: May 2024

The paper aims to investigate the correlation between knowledge management and business sustainability through sustainability-oriented projects. The role of projects in promoting sustainability is already recognized, with sustainability-oriented projects emerging as a pivotal mechanism for companies to actively contribute to sustainability goals. Theoretical arguments also suggest that the enhancement of knowledge management is crucial for the advancement of sustainable business. Still, assertions in both areas lack solid empirical verification. Simultaneously, there is a growing emphasis on exploring the connection between knowledge management and project management, as existing studies indicate that knowledge management enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of projects. However, the nexus between knowledge management, project management, and business sustainability remains largely unexplored. This study aims to address two questions: whether knowledge management has a positive effect on business sustainability, and whether it is mediated by sustainability-oriented projects. The research hypotheses are verified through a large-scale empirical study utilizing SEM.
FORMS OF PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF HISTORICAL CULTURAL HERITAGE (CASE STUDY)
Authors: MERTA-STASZCZAK Adriana , WOJTKIEWICZ Krystian
Published: May 2024

A major problem associated with material cultural heritage is the ability to protect and preserve historic movable objects, such as sculptures, paintings, and various works of art. The traditional way has been to amass them in state or private collections, aiming to systematically record, catalog, describe, and photograph them. Due to various circumstances, including acts of theft and warfare, either paper inventories or the artworks themselves have often been lost. The lack of actual catalogs has made it impossible to reconstruct lists of museum objects, including those with significant historical and artistic value, making it difficult to search for and identify them in the future. With technological advances, a variety of media, including modern methods of digitization, have been used to enable universal access to cultural heritage. This article identifies stages in the evolution of the need for preserving and presenting cultural heritage, taking into account the advanced creation of three-dimensional reproduction.
CONFLICTS AND VIOLENCE: THE CHALLENGES OF PROTECTING REFUGEES IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Authors: MLAMBO Victor H
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the challenges of protecting refugees in sub-Saharan Africa. Reviewing available and relevant literature on refugees and their displacement in this region, it argues that people are compelled to flee their homes and seek refuge across international borders due to poverty, instability, conflict, and climate-related emergencies. They are then placed in overcrowded camps, frequently for extended periods. In theory, African refugees can access one of the most progressive protection schemes in the world. In practice, they confront insurmountable obstacles to their human rights, including coerced return, prejudice, arbitrary detention and arrest, limitations on their freedoms of speech and movement, and violations of their social and economic rights. Refugee law, which was created in the language of human rights and applies to people who are already highly vulnerable, disappears from view amid the poor human rights records of many African countries. From an in-depth argument and reflection on the literature, considering the differing voices and arguments, this paper communicates how, given the rise in extremism and political instability in sub-Saharan Africa, regional security is at risk if the inadequate protection given to refugee camps is not addressed.
IMBALANCE IN EU TRADE WITH SELECTED ASIAN ECONOMIES – A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BASED ON GROSS EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC VALUE-ADDED
Authors: PASIERBIAK Paweł , BIAŁOWĄS Tomasz
Published: May 2024

The European Union has a chronic trade deficit with Asia, the majority of which is with certain countries in East and South-East Asia. This conclusion is based on traditional international trade statistics. However, the international fragmentation of production processes and the new method of measuring trade by value-added are now making trade analysis closer to reality, allowing for more accurate conclusions to be drawn.This article’s main aim is to analyze and evaluate the EU’s trade imbalance with Asia and selected Asian economies, which is found in both traditional (gross) and new (value-added) international trade statistics. The analysis shows that the degree of trade imbalances concerning partners and groups of goods differs depending on the method of analysis. In the case of EU-Asian trade relations, imbalances do exist, but they generally show smaller deficits or surpluses when measured in value-added terms. The availability of statistical data determined the time and geographical scope of the study. The analysis covers the EU28’s trade with 15 Asian countries from 1995 to 2018, with a particular focus on China, Japan, and South Korea. The study applies a critical literature review, the descriptive-analytical method, and the method of inference based on statistical data obtained from international databases (Eurostat, OECD-WTO, and UNCTAD).
THE SUPERVISING RIGHTS OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OVER THE PROFESSIONAL SELF-GOVERNMENT OF ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW AS AN EXAMPLE OF PARTICULAR FORMS OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
Authors: SZWAJCZAK Natalia
Published: May 2024

Public management is a discipline of science derived from management, legal, and political sciences. It addresses activities that ensure effective management of organized action of people aimed at creating public value and realizing the public interest in the process of rendering public services. One form of public management is ministry supervision over the professional self-government of attorneys-at-law, ensuring legality and serving the public good. One essential means of supervision in this area is opposition by the Ministry of Justice to a resolution of the council of a district chamber of attorneys-at-law on registration on the list of attorneys. Using the methods of dogmatic analysis and a jurisprudence survey, the author presents the ways of interpreting the legal provisions concerning the subject-matter opposition and the evolution of opinions formulated in this respect over the last few dozen years. The article aims to show how a strict interpretation of the concrete rights of a supervising organ influences the restrictions on supervising interference in the sphere reserved for the competencies of professional self-government – an entity of its essence autonomous and independent.
Electromagnetic interference shielding of graphite/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites
Authors: Sachdev V. K. , Patel K. , Bhattacharya S. , Tandon R. P.
Published: November 2010

Dispersion of graphite within the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene matrix demonstrates enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding of composites through the use of tumble mixing technique. A shielding effectiveness of 60 dB with 15 wt % of graphite has been achieved. D shore hardness data revealed a little decrease in hardness of composites with rise in graphite content. DC conductivity measurements revealed a fairly low percolation threshold at 3 wt % of graphite. The conductivity exhibited by 15 wt % composite is 1.66 × 10−1 S/cm. These composites are fit for use as an effective and convenient EMI shielding material because of easy processing, better hardness, light weight, and, reasonable shielding efficiency. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Retinoic acid inhibits osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal cells
Authors: Chen Mu , Huang Hong‐Zhang , Wang Miao , Wang An‐Xun
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND: All‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA), a known teratogenic factor affecting the development of cleft palate, has been shown to adversely affect craniofacial development. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of ATRA on the osteo‐/adipogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic palate mesenchymal (MEPM) cells, which served as a valid model system for investigating the mechanisms regulating osteogenesis during palatogenesis. METHODS: MEPM cells were derived from gestational day 13 C57BL/6N mouse embryos and induced to differentiate in the presence or absence of ATRA in either osteogenic medium (OM) or control medium (CM). RESULTS: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, von Kossa staining, and RT‐PCR assays confirmed that MEPM cells underwent osteogenic differentiation when cultured in OM. Although ATRA induced ALP activity and lipid accumulation in MEPM cells, it failed to induce matrix mineralization and osteoblastic gene expression. BMPR‐IB and Smad5 mRNA levels increased significantly in cells cultured in OM and declined following treatment with ATRA, whereas the expression of the BMPR‐IA mRNA was up‐regulated by ATRA. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results suggested that ATRA and the BMP signaling pathway cooperate to inhibit osteogenesis and promote adipogenesis of MEPM cells. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcomes after induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia arising from myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Bello Celeste , Yu Daohai , Komrokji Rami S. , Zhu Weiwei , Wetzstein Gene A. , List Alan F. , Lancet Jeffrey E.
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

Secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) from an antecedent myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/myeloproliferative neoplasm is associated with a poor prognosis. The authors evaluated predictive factors in patients with secondary AML treated with anthracycline‐based induction therapy.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective review of secondary AML patients treated with induction therapy. Age, International Prognostic Scoring System, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, cytogenetics, duration of MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm, and prior MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm treatment were evaluated for their impact on complete response (CR), CR with low platelets, and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS:

The authors evaluated 61 secondary AML patients who received induction chemotherapy; 59% (36 patients) achieved CR/CR with low platelets (95% confidence interval [CI], 46%‐71%), and median OS was 6.5 (95% CI, 3.9‐8.1) months. Three factors were associated with lower CR/CR with low platelets and OS: poor risk cytogenetics, prior treatment with hypomethylating agents or lenalidomide, and longer time to transformation to AML. Of those treated with hypomethylating agents or lenalidomide, 32% achieved CR/CR with low platelets versus 78% in the group not treated with a hypomethylating agent or lenalidomide (odds ratio [OR], 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04‐0.42). Median OS for those treated with a hypomethylating agent or lenalidomide was 3.7 versus 10.5 months for those not treated with a hypomethylating agent or lenalidomide (P < .0001). The CR/CR with low platelets rate for those with intermediate risk cytogenetics was 70% versus 35% for those with poor risk (OR, 4.33; 95% CI, 1.38‐13.6). Those with poor risk cytogenetics had a median OS of 2.8 versus 7.5 months for those with intermediate risk (P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Prior treatment with hypomethylating agents or lenalidomide, poor risk cytogenetics, and longer time to transformation to AML are independent negative predictive factors for response and OS in patients with secondary AML after induction therapy. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
p14ARF genetic polymorphisms and susceptibility to second primary malignancy in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Zhang Yang , Sturgis Erich M. , Zafereo Mark E. , Wei Qingyi , Li Guojun
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

p14ARF, an alternate reading frame (ARF) product of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A locus, plays a critical role in crosstalk between the tumor protein 53 (p53) and retinoblastoma (Rb) pathways and in cellular anticancer mechanisms. Therefore, the authors of this report investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the p14ARF gene and the risk of developing a second primary malignancy (SPM) after an index squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

METHODS:

The log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association of 2 p14ARF SNPs (reference SNP [rs]3731217 and rs3088440) with SPM‐free survival and with the risk of developing an SPM among 1287 patients who had SCCHN.

RESULTS:

Patients with either p14ARF variant genotypes of the 2 polymorphisms had a significantly reduced SPM‐free survival compared with patients with no variant genotypes (log‐rank test; P = .006). Compared with the p14ARF thymine‐thymine (TT) and guanine‐guanine (GG) genotypes, the variant genotypes of p14ARF TG/GG and guanine‐adenine (GA)/AA were associated with a significantly moderately increased risk of developing an SPM (p14ARF rs3731217: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00‐2.19; p14ARF rs3088440: aHR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.07‐2.43). Moreover, after combining the variant genotypes of the 2 SNPs, patients who had variant genotypes were at significantly greater risk of developing an SPM compared with patients who had no variant genotypes (aHR, 3.07; 95% CI, 1.54‐6.12), and the risk was particularly pronounced in several subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results suggested that there is a modestly increased risk of developing an SPM after an index SCCHN with each p14ARF polymorphism, and there is an even greater risk of developing an SPM for patients with combined variant genotypes of the 2 SNPs. Therefore, p14ARF polymorphisms may be susceptible markers of the risk of developing an SPM in patients with SCCHN. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Perineural invasion in pT3N0 rectal cancer
Authors: Peng Junjie , Sheng Weiqi , Huang Dan , Venook Alan P. , Xu Ye , Guan Zuqing , Cai Sanjun
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

The authors' purpose was to explore the incidence and prognostic significance of perineural invasion (PNI) in pT3N0 rectal cancer.

METHODS:

Pathologic materials from resected specimens of 173 patients with pT3N0 rectal cancer were retrospectively collected. PNI‐positivity was categorized into 2 groups: surrounding the nerve sheath (SS‐PNI) and invading through the nerve sheath (TS‐PNI). The rate of PNI‐positivity was compared with PNI as initially recorded in the original reports. Patients' outcome was studied in groups with different PNI status, and multivariate analysis was performed to determine its prognostic value.

RESULTS:

In this retrospective analysis, PNI‐positivity was found in 24.3% of all cases, in which SS‐PNI and TS‐PNI were 11% and 13.3%, respectively, and was related to lymphovascular invasion. Only 7.5% of patients' specimens were reported as PNI‐positive in the original reports. Detection of SS‐PNI was likelier to be missed than TS‐PNI. The rates of local recurrence, disease‐free survival, and overall survival at 5 years were similar between the groups of SS‐PNI and TS‐PNI. The 5‐year local recurrence rate was more than 2.5‐fold higher in the PNI‐positive group compared with the PNI‐negative group (22.7% vs 7.9%, respectively; P = .017). Multivariate analysis proved that PNI‐positivity was the only independent risk factor for predicting 5‐year local recurrence rate, whereas only sampled lymph nodes was related to 5‐year disease‐free survival and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS:

PNI is a common pathologic feature in rectal cancer. The definition of PNI should include SS‐PNI and TS‐PNI. Rectal cancer patients who are PNI‐positive are at higher risk of local recurrence and should be considered for more intensive treatment. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Risk of colorectal cancer in self‐reported inflammatory bowel disease and modification of risk by statin and NSAID use
Authors: Samadder N. Jewel , Mukherjee Bhramar , Huang Shu‐Chen , Ahn Jaeil , Rennert Hedy S. , Greenson Joel K. , Rennert Gad , Gruber Stephen B.
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND:

Statins and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in some studies. The objective of this study was to quantify the relative risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as a risk factor for CRC and to estimate whether this risk may be modified by long‐term use of NSAIDs or statins.

METHODS:

The Molecular Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer study is a population‐based, case‐control study of incident colorectal cancer in northern Israel and controls matched by age, sex, clinic, and ethnicity. Personal histories of IBD and medication use were measured by structured, in‐person interview. The relative risk of IBD and effect modification by statins and NSAIDs were quantified by conditional and unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTS:

Among 1921 matched pairs of CRC cases and controls, a self‐reported history of IBD was associated with a 1.9‐fold increased risk of CRC (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12‐3.26). Long‐term statin use was associated with a reduced risk of both IBD‐associated CRC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01‐0.78) and non‐IBD CRC (OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.39‐0.62). Stratified analysis suggested that statins may be more protective among those with IBD (ratio of OR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.01‐1.31; P = .51), although not statistically significant. NSAID use in patients with a history of IBD was suggestive of reduced risk of CRC but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 0.47; 95% CI, 0.12‐1.86).

CONCLUSIONS:

The risk of CRC was elevated 1.9‐fold in patients with IBD. Long‐term statin use was associated with reduced risk of CRC in patients with IBD. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Small traders in currency futures markets
Authors: Röthig Andreas , Chiarella Carl
Published: November 2010

This study examines the interrelation between small traders' open interest and large hedging and speculation in the Canadian dollar, Swiss franc, British pound, and Japanese yen futures markets. The results, based on Granger‐causality tests and vector autoregressive models, suggest that small traders' open interest is closely related to large speculators' open interest. Small traders and speculators tend to herd, which means that small traders are long [short] when speculators are long [short] as well. Moreover, small traders and speculators are positive feedback traders whereas hedgers are contrarians. Regarding information flows, speculators lead small traders in three of the four currency futures markets. The results therefore suggest that small traders are small speculators who follow the large speculators, indicating that they are less well informed than the large speculators. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 31:898–913, 2011
Tooth histology in the cretaceous ichthyosaur Platypterygius australis, and its significance for the conservation and divergence of mineralized tooth tissues in amniotes
Authors: Maxwell Erin E. , Caldwell Michael W. , Lamoureux Denis O.
Published: November 2010

Ichthyosaurs are an extinct group of secondarily aquatic reptiles that show ligamentous tooth attachment to the jaw in some derived forms. Here, we provide a modern description of tooth histology in ichthyosaurs, using Platypterygius australis, a large ichthyosaur from the Cretaceous of Australia. Our study supports evolutionary conservation of the principal mineralized tooth tissue types in amniotes with ligamentous tooth attachment: enamel, dentine, cellular, and acellular cementum. This is the first time that the latter tissue has been located in ichthyosaurs. Vascularized cementum (osteocementum) is reduced or absent in amniotes in which the teeth are ankylosed to the jaw bone, such as basal ichthyosaurs, and raises questions regarding the function of this tissue and the potential developmental or selective conditions leading to its convergent evolution. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(phenylacetylenes) featuring activated ester side groups
Authors: Pauly Anja C. , Theato Patrick
Published: November 2010

Four monomers based on 4‐ethynylbenzoic acid have been synthesized, one of those featuring an activated ester. With the metathesis catalytic system WCl6/Ph4Sn, these acetylenic monomers could successfully be polymerized yielding conjugated polymers with molecular weights of around 10,000 to 15,000 g/mol and molecular weight distributions Mw/Mn ≤ 2.1. Also the copolymerization of phenylacetylene or methyl 4‐ethynylbenzoate with pentafluorophenyl 4‐ethynylbenzoate as reactive unit was conducted. Polymer analogous reactions of the reactive polymers and copolymers with amines have been investigated and it was found that poly(pentafluorophenyl 4‐ethynylbenzoate) featured a significant reactivity, such that reactions proceeded quantitatively even with aromatic amines. Moreover the UV‐Vis spectra of the activated ester based polymer before and after conversion with aliphatic amines showed a change, indicating an effect on the conjugated backbone of the polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Prediction of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding and sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm
Authors: Opolskiene G. , Sladkevicius P. , Valentin L.
Published: November 2010

Objective

To build mathematical models for evaluating the individual risk of endometrial malignancy in women with postmenopausal bleeding and sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm using clinical data, sonographic endometrial thickness and power Doppler ultrasound findings.

Methods

Of 729 consecutive patients with postmenopausal bleeding, 261 with sonographic endometrial thickness ≥ 4.5 mm and no fluid in the uterine cavity were included. They underwent transvaginal two‐dimensional gray‐scale and power Doppler ultrasound examination of the endometrium. The ultrasound image showing the most vascularized section through the endometrium as assessed by power Doppler was frozen, the endometrium was outlined and the percentage vascularized area (vascularity index) was calculated using computer software. The ultrasound examiner also estimated the color content of the endometrial scan on a visual analog scale (VAS) graded from 0 to 100 (VAS score). A structured history was taken to collect clinical information. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to create mathematical models to predict endometrial malignancy.

Results

There were 63 (24%) malignant and 198 (76%) benign endometria. Women with a malignant endometrium were older (median age 74 vs. 65 years; P = 0.0005) and fewer used hormone replacement therapy and warfarin. Women with a malignant endometrium had a thicker endometrium (median thickness 20.8 vs. 10.2 mm; P = 0.0005) and higher values for vascularity index and VAS score. When using only clinical data to build a model for estimating the risk of endometrial malignancy, a model including the variables age, use of warfarin and use of hormone replacement therapy had the largest area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve (AUC), with a value of 0.74 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.67–0.81). A model including age, use of warfarin and endometrial thickness had an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76–0.87), and one including age, use of hormone replacement therapy, endometrial thickness and vascularity index had an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.87–0.95). Using a risk cut‐off of 11%, the latter model had sensitivity 90%, specificity 71%, positive likelihood ratio 3.14 and negative likelihood ratio 0.13.

Conclusions

The diagnostic performance of models predicting endometrial cancer increases substantially when sonographic endometrial thickness and power Doppler information are added to clinical variables. The models are likely to be clinically useful but need to be prospectively validated. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of Brazilian zoos in ex situ bird conservation: from 1981 to 2005
Authors: Azevedo Cristiano S. , Young Robert J. , Rodrigues Marcos
Published: November 2010

Zoos may play an important role in conservation when they maintain and breed large numbers of animals that are threatened with extinction. Bird conservation is in a privileged situation owing to the extensive biological information available about this class. Annual inventories produced by the “Sociedade de Zoológicos do Brasil” in the years 1981, 1990, 2000, and 2005 were analyzed. Variables, such as the number of zoos per geographic region; number of birds held; number of bird species in each IUCN threat category; number of exotic and native bird species; number of potentially breeding bird species; number of bird species in each order; and number of threatened bird species breeding, were analyzed. Brazilian zoos kept more than 350 bird species. The number of bird species and specimens held by the Brazilian Zoos increased from 1981 to 2000, but decreased in 2005. The same pattern was observed for the number of species in each IUCN threat category. Results showed that the potential of the Brazilian zoos in bird conservation needs to be enhanced because they maintain threatened species but do not implement systematic genetic, reproductive, or behavioral management protocols for most species. Zoo Biol 30:655–671, 2011. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.