bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Writing on politics and ideology in planning
Authors: Marshall Tim
Published: September 2021

There is a strong literature on planning in Britain, but the chapter survey shows that this is less strong in relationship to political and ideological dimensions. Textbooks give little coverage of these areas, rather less than twenty or thirty years ago. Engagement in more specialist writing is also limited, from what is surveyed here, although this varies considerably with the sub-field. There is beginning to emerge fuller consideration in journal articles, responding to the perceived greater ideological component of planning in Britain in the last decade or so. There is a clear gap waiting to be filled, so that planning thinking and planning education can get beyond more limited approaches focused primarily on technical or legal practice and engage with what is really happening to planning at present.
The social partners and the NESC: from tripartite dialogue via common knowledge events to network knowledge
Authors: O’Donnell Rory
Published: September 2021

Chapter Ten examines policy analysis in the institutional arrangements created by the state to involve the social partners – employers, unions, framers and voluntary/community organisations – in the policy process, particularly the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). This method of policy analysis was developed in response to interest group dialogue which in Ireland took the shape of social partnership (1987-2008). The NESC’s early work is examined, followed by a discussion on the significant changes in its role after 1986. Its analysis of the economic crisis of the 1980s in A Strategy for Development 1986-1990 (NESC, 1986), played a central role in the resolution of that crisis. The NESC sees its role as a ‘boundary organisation’, managing the relationship between policy analysis and diverse actors.
Conclusion
Authors: Rosenberg Mark W.
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides a portrait of what the older population looks like in the second decade of the twenty-first century cross-sectionally in aggregate, in time and place. It recounts life stories of today's older population and reflects the cumulative life stories of older people who were born between 1915 and 1955. It also talks about the older population from the beginning of the twentieth century until the 1950s that lived in a world of relative poverty in small towns and rural Canada, where paying for healthcare was a private transaction. The chapter cites the older population who rewrote the political stories of the 1950s and 1960s that resulted in a social insurance and public pension system. It explains how Canada went from being a country that was mainly made up of small towns and rural communities, to a country that quickly became urban and suburban where today's newer cohorts of the older population grew up.
Does social investment make the labour market ‘flow’? Family policies and institutional complementarities in Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea
Authors: Hong Ijin , Lee Jieun
Published: September 2021

This chapter investigates whether social investments improve labour market flow by focusing on work–family reconciliation policy and women's labour market participation. It provides an overview on which institutional configurations one should consider to understand how the labour market flows during women's life cycles. The chapter then analyses Italy, Spain, Japan and South Korea and their institutional configurations. By investigating social investment latecomers in East Asia (Japan and Korea) and Southern Europe (Spain and Italy), the chapter reveals that social investment reform itself does not automatically lead to higher female employment rates, because the effectiveness of work–family reconciliation policy hugely depends on the institutional context. Ultimately, the chapter asserts that social investment strategies should be context-sensitive and tailored to different structural and institutional configurations if they are to be suitable and effective. It claims that, in order for social investment reform to be successful, complementary institutional reform is required.
From inclusionary to exclusionary populism in the transformation of US community development
Authors: Stoecker Randy , Witkovsky Benny
Published: September 2021

This chapter addresses the transformation of community development in the United States. The post-World War II history of community development in the United States can be defined by a transition from a power-based model emphasising participatory and redistributive community power building, to a neoliberal model emphasising physical rehabilitation and business development. Neoliberal community development, however much it was consciously planned and engineered by economic and political elites, required a specific political milieu to take root and grow. In particular, it required a voting base that would support candidates promoting far-right, anti-democratic, anti-worker, and baldly racist policies. This political base — rural, white, and male — ends up voting to dismantle the community structures designed to empower them in the hope of some benefit from powerful leaders. This is the exact opposite of the community model that organises people to define and pursue their collective self-interest towards an expanded democracy. How can we understand such behaviour? We can start by thinking about it as a result of the Janus-faced nature of populism that allows it to be either (or both) inclusionary and exclusionary.
A different approach to ideology
Authors: Beresford Peter
Published: September 2021

This chapter's main focus is reconnecting ideology and participation. It begins to look at a different approach to political ideologies, where the aim is to make possible our effective participation in them. The chapter highlights that this represents a fundamental change in approach to ideology, one that begins with how we try to examine and discuss the concept. A central question is explored: is it possible for ideology to be liberatory unless it is participatory? The chapter looks at the insights for such participation to be found in the 'new social movements' that developed in the last quarter of the twentieth century, including service user movements, and unpacks participation considering its history, philosophy, models, contexts and meanings.
Welfare and Punishment
Authors: Cummins Ian
Published: September 2021

The development of welfare and penal policies are inextricably linked and interrelated social and political phenonema. They, therefore need to be analysed in unison. The reduction of the social state and the expansion in the rates of imprisonment are joint strategies by governments. The punitive shifts that led to the increase in prison populations from the late 1970s onwards in England and Wales have had a much broader influence than simply in the area of Criminal Justice. They have helped to entrench views about the nature of marignalised groups or populations. The work will examine the genealogy of the penal state or the various explanations for its development. Penal policy and social provision are used to provide or give the illusion of social stability. Developments in these areas are often a response to a crisis of legitimacy. This work will argue that the late 1970s crisis that led to the advent of neo liberalism led to not only new economic policies but also that these are linked to new social policies which stigmatise marginal groups. The supporters of these policies argued that the retrenchment of the welfare state was necessary because of a state fiscal crisis. The spectacle of punitivism also served to convince voters that social investment was counterproductive as the management of the “underclass” could only be achieved through coercion - in the areas of welfare and penal policy
Territorial Politics, the Central State and Devolution
Authors: Bradbury Jonathan
Published: September 2021

This chapter addresses UK central government and devolution over the whole period, focusing on how the centre articulated Britishness and approached the issues of law making and parliament, intergovernmental relations, and territorial finance in the light of devolution. The chapter places a principal focus on how the Blair governments developed the central state in the light of devolution. It explores the role of territorial pressures and constraints in thinking about adaptation at the centre; the availability of political resources in shaping approaches to reform; choices over the use of those resources; and the policy process adopted in making those choices. In so doing the chapter considers to what extent the evidence supports the proposition that following Bulpitt, the Blair governments sought to fashion an approach also to the development of the central state in the light of devolution that maintained a centre autonomy model of centre–periphery relations. The implication is that they sought this goal both to assist the successful embedding of devolution in ways amenable to the state as a whole, as well as maintaining effective UK government across all its priorities, not simply territorial management. The chapter draws on the published work of Trench, which was based on extensive interviews in Whitehall in the early 2000s, and reconsiders it within the book's framework of analysis.
The Long Journey to the War on Terror
Authors: Hamourtziadou Lily
Published: September 2021

The devastating loss of life in a war still fought and grown in size requires an answer to the question: what is this War on Terror? Other than to find, stop and defeat terrorist groups, why are men, women and children killed daily, or live in poverty and fear, without home or country? How can we come to understand this human insecurity, its context and its consequences? The chapter explores the journey to the War on Terror and four narratives around it: clashing civilisations, the battle between good and evil, the politics of a hegemon and a hegemonic shift. The securitisation of Iraq is traced back to the Gulf War and links are made between the two wars, in terms of how issues around Iraq became part of the West’s security agenda and in terms of how ‘speaking security’ resulted in the deaths of thousands. The chapter concludes by introducing the first publication of Iraq Body Count, the Dossier on Civilian Casualties, compiled by IBC in the 2003-2005 period. The Dossier provided an initial assessment of the War on Terror, by revealing the recorded impact of the invasion and of the violence it triggered on civilians.
The Rising Violence: Writing the War 2006–2007
Authors: Hamourtziadou Lily
Published: September 2021

The chapter covers the 2006-2007 period, presenting security and political developments. It contains editorials with information about weekly deaths and the author’s commentary, written as the violence occurred, providing a ‘live’ narrative of the human devastation in its context. The price of civilian life in Iraq is discussed through compensation claims that reveal the monetary value of a human life lost as collateral damage, notions of victory and the legal obligation of states to record the casualties of armed conflict. It examines regime security in weak states and its role in growing insecurity and in contributing to the creation of sectarian identities. The roots of Iraq’s current anti-government protests and general discontent are traced to the events of those early years of democracy under occupation. The chapter ends by assessing the American Surge of 2007 as part of a Western security culture where force is the solution or method of control, by applying Paul Rogers’ control paradigm that centres on the military-industrial complex and the use of military force in responding to threats. In Iraq this strategy has been proven to be, at times, insufficient in ensuring peace and stability, and, at times, the cause of further insurgency and insecurity.
Implications of Personality Change at Work for Research and Practice
Authors: Wang Ying , Wu Chia-Huei
Published: September 2021

The final chapter brings together the literature reviewed in this book to highlight key implications of personality change for future research and practice. First, it identifies unresolved debates and under-studied areas in personality change and provide suggestions for future research. Then, it discusses methodological issues in studying personality change, providing a brief overview about the existing and future approaches for continuing research in this area. Finally, it addresses the practical implications for the society, organisations, as well as employees themselves. By doing so, it is hoped that individuals, leaders and the public in general can take on board the dynamic perspective toward personality and identify ways to change personalities for the better.
Promoting Professionalism: A Normative Framework for Peace Mediation
Authors: Kastner Philipp
Published: September 2021

This chapter analyses the current process of rendering explicit norms pertaining to peace mediation, it argues that adopting a historical perspective and a critical-pluralist understanding of legal norms is useful to understand the reasons for and effects of rendering explicit what used to be largely implicit. In fact, peace mediation, from mediation in the early modern period to contemporary efforts to resolve armed conflicts, has always been governed by certain norms, whereas presumably universal rules, such as the neutrality and impartiality of a mediator, have never existed as absolutes and have always been qualified in some way. The chapter discusses the reasons behind the apparent need to articulate such a framework and the effects on the practice of peace negotiations.
Towards a More Integrated Approach? Cooperation Among the UN, AU and IGAD in Mediation Support
Authors: Pring Jamie
Published: September 2021

This chapter argues that the interaction of organizational norms and interests influences an organizations’ willingness to lead, collaborate, or compete in mediation processes. Examining the interactions of the United Nations, African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the Horn of Africa, the chapter finds that while functionalist explanations for cooperation among mediation actors are dominant in the field, they don’t adequately account for cooperation in all types of mediation support. Crucially, functionalist approaches overlook geopolitical and normative factors crucial in forging cooperation in operational support to on-going mediation processes. Therefore, in addition to functional concerns, norms and interests also need to be considered in working towards deeper integration.
Introduction
Authors: Davies Jonathan S.
Published: September 2021

The chapter explains the background to the study. It begins by explaining the academic parameters of the research. It moves on to explain the case studies and research process. It concludes by mapping out the structure of the book.
Introduction: World Society and Its Histories – The Sociology and Global History of Global Social Change
Authors: Albert Mathias , Werron Tobias
Published: September 2021

This chapter introduces questions that need to be addressed when thinking about global social change. It discusses the cross-fertilizations between the various branches of global history, world society theories, global historical sociology, postcolonial studies, and theories of international relations. It also cites the criticism of a methodological nationalism that was not seen fit for a comprehensive understanding of historical and contemporary global social orders and their dynamics. The chapter explores the emergence of a paradigm from cross-disciplinary debates that make use of the empirical knowledge accumulated in the globalization scholarship of recent decades. It examines the theoretical standpoints that guide the empirical work in different disciplines.
The Impact of Communications in Global History
Authors: Tworek Heidi
Published: September 2021

This chapter emphasizes how understanding the impact of communications can help the interdisciplinary thrust to integrate sociology with history and international relations (IR). It discusses a global history of how communications affected populations around the world, which demonstrates why they played a key role in differentiation. It also talks about how colonialism helped to entrench imperial rule for decades before anticolonial activists used some Western communications systems in their favour. The chapter assesses the contemporary situation, where American-owned social media companies appeared to be the drivers of democratic social change during the Arab Spring of 2011, but now seem to foster conspiracy-theory-driven violence. It presents nine different forms of impact, subdivided into cultural, economic, political, and environmental clusters that illustrate the myriad uneven global effects of communications over time and space.
Data Theft
Authors: Kitchin Rob
Published: September 2021

This chapter details the consequences of data breaches for a company and its customers. Someone has discovered that the company has stored personal details of customers in an unencrypted database on an insecure server located somewhere in Idaho. Unfortunately, an enterprising hacker has put up the entire database for sale on the dark web. The company suspects that somebody probably fell for a phishing attack, then someone got in and dismantled their cybersecurity. As it turns out, other companies, governments, and city administration have all been victims of data breaches. Data breaches could cost companies millions as customers could sue them for identity theft.
The mechanism of digitized landscape architecture design under edge computing
Authors: Wu Haoqi , Yan Jun
Published: September 2021

The purposes are to analyze the mechanism of digitized landscape architecture design and stablize the garden landscape image display in constructing garden landscape digitization platform. According to previous research and mobile edge computing, a scheme of digitized landscape architecture design is proposed based on edge computing. This scheme uses discrete elevation calculation to preserve the landscape design image’s frame. It adopts the Roberts edge detection and Laplacian operator for high-level stable preservation of landscape images. Simultaneously, the displayed image is stablized using edge computing algorithms. Simulation experiments are performed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme of digitized landscape architecture design based on mobile edge computing. Results demonstrate that the discrete elevation calculation algorithm can avoid low visual rendering in the 3D image generation process, optimize the seed point matching of edge correlation, and ensure image clarity and stability. The edge computing algorithm can fundamentally avoid the problem of image shaking. The impact of different algorithm models on the classification and accuracy of landscape images is analyzed through parameter optimization. Compared with some latest models, the proposed landscape design scheme based on edge computing has better accuracy. The average accuracy can reach more than 90%, and the Kappa coefficient remains at 86.93%. The designed garden landscape digitization platform can stably display 3D garden landscape images while avoiding the shaking of 3D images, which can provide a theoretical basis and practical value for designing and planning landscape architecture.
Bioinformatic analysis identifies potential key genes of epilepsy
Authors: Zhu Yike , Huang Dan , Zhao Zhongyan , Lu Chuansen
Published: September 2021

Background

Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders worldwide. It is usually hard to be identified properly, and a third of patients are drug-resistant. Genes related to the progression and prognosis of epilepsy are particularly needed to be identified.

Methods

In our study, we downloaded the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) microarray expression profiling dataset GSE143272. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a fold change (FC) >1.2 and a P-value <0.05 were identified by GEO2R and grouped in male, female and overlapping DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed.

Results

In total, 183 DEGs overlapped (77 ups and 106 downs), 302 DEGs (185 ups and 117 downs) in the male dataset, and 750 DEGs (464 ups and 286 downs) in the female dataset were obtained from the GSE143272 dataset. These DEGs were markedly enriched under various Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) terms. 16 following hub genes were identified based on PPI network analysis: ADCY7, C3AR1, DEGS1, CXCL1 in male-specific DEGs, TOLLIP, ORM1, ELANE, QPCT in female-specific DEGs and FCAR, CD3G, CLEC12A, MOSPD2, CD3D, ALDH3B1, GPR97, PLAUR in overlapping DEGs.

Conclusion

This discovery-driven study may be useful to provide a novel insight into the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. However, more experiments are needed in the future to study the functional roles of these genes in epilepsy.
Predicting price intervals under exogenously induced stress
Authors: Shead Steven , Durand Robert B. , Thomas Stephanie
Published: September 2021

We present an experimental protocol to examine the relationship between exogenously induced stress and confidence in a setting applicable to financial markets. Confidence will be measured by a prediction interval for a one period ahead price forecast, based on a series of 100 previous prices; narrower (wider) prediction intervals will be indicative of greater (lower) confidence. Stress will be induced using the Cold Pressor Arm Wrap, a variation of the Cold Pressor Test. Risk attitudes, and personality traits are also considered as mediating factors.
Vegan vs. omnivore diets paradox: A whole-metagenomic approach for defining metabolic networks during the race in ultra-marathoners- a before and after study design
Authors: Devrim-Lanpir Aslı , İlktaç Havvanur Yoldaş , Wirnitzer Katharina , Hill Lee , Rosemann Thomas , Knechtle Beat
Published: September 2021

Background

The effect of vegan diets on metabolic processes in the body is still controversial in ultra endurance athletes. The study aims to determine gut microbiome adaptation to extreme exercise according to vegan or omnivore diet consumed in ultra-marathoners. We also seek to evaluate long-term vegan diets’ effects on redox homeostasis, and muscle fatigue, and assess energy availability.

Methods

Seventy participants will be assigned to the study, including 35 vegan ultra-marathoners and 35 omnivores competing in the Sri-Chinmoy ultra marathon race. Research data will be collected from the participants at four steps (three visits to the research laboratory and the race day) throughout the study. At the first visit (seven days before the race), fecal samples, and anthropometric measurements will be collected. Body composition will be measured using DXA. Participants will be informed about keeping detailed food records and will be asked to record their diet data and activity logs during the entire study period. At second visit, maximum oxygen consumption will be measured on treadmill. On race day, blood samples will be collected immediately before, and 0. min, 2 hours, and 24 hours after the race. Body weight will be measured before and after the race. The blood and fecal samples will be stored at -80 C until analysis. Plasma malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen metabolites, total antioxidant capacity, Heatshockprotein-70, and serum Orosomucoid-1 will be analyzed in blood samples. Fecal samples will be analyzed with shotgun metagenomic analysis and interpreted using bioinformatics pipeline (HumanN2). Statistical tests will be analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 and R Software.

Discussion

Study findings will determine the effects of the vegan diet on sports performance, revealing the multiple interactions between host and gut microbiome at the whole metagenomic level. Additionally, results will show the possible adaptation throughout the race by analyzing blood and fecal samples. Furthermore, by assessing energy availability and determining host-metabolite crosstalk for ultra-endurance athletes, possible nutritional deficiencies can be identified. Thus, advanced nutritional strategies can be developed based on metabolic needs.

Trial registration

Current controlled trials, ISRCTN registry 69541705. Registered on 8 December 2019.
Noncommunicable diseases risk factors in Bhutan: A secondary analysis of data from Bhutan’s nationwide STEPS survey 2014
Authors: Sithey Gyambo , Wen Li Ming , Dzed Laigden , Li Mu
Published: September 2021

Background

Bhutan is facing an epidemic of noncommunicable diseases; they are responsible for 53% of all deaths. Four main modifiable risk factors, including tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diet, are the causes of most noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to assess 1) the prevalence of NCDs modifiable risk factors in Bhutan’s adult population and 2) associations between the sociodemographic factors and the NCDs modifiable risk factors with overweight or obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

Methods

We used the 2014 Bhutan WHO Stepwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPS) Survey dataset in this study. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions, constructed with overweight or obesity, hypertension, and diabetes as outcome variables and modifiable risk factors as independent variables.

Results

The prevalence of tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet (low fruits and vegetables intake) and physically inactive was 24.8% (95% CI: 21.5, 28.5), 42.4% (95% CI: 39.4, 45.5), 66.9% (95% CI: 61.5, 71.8), and 6.2% (95% CI: 4.9, 7.8), respectively. The prevalence of overweight or obesity, hypertension and diabetes was 32.9% (95%CI: 30.0, 36.0), 35.7% (95% CI: 32.8, 38.7) and 6.4% (95% CI: 5.1, 7.9), respectively. Multiple logistic regression showed that older age groups were more likely to be overweight or obese, hypertensive, and diabetic. Our analysis also found that tobacco users were less likely to be overweight or obese (aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52, 0.96), and to be hypertensive (aOR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56, 0.97); but they were more likely to be diabetic (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.05, 2.56). Alcohol users were more likely to be hypertensive aOR 1.41 (95% CI 1.15, 1.74). Furthermore, vigorous physical activity could protect people from being overweight or obese, aOR 0.47 (95% CI 0.31, 0.70), and those consuming more than five serves of fruits and vegetables per day were more likely to be overweight or obese, aOR 1.46 (95% CI 1.17, 1.82).

Conclusion

The prevalence of NCDs modifiable risk factors and overweight or obesity and hypertension was high in Bhutan. We found strong associations between tobacco use and diabetes, alcohol use, hypertension, physically inactive, and overweight or obesity. The results suggest that the government should prioritize NCDs prevention and control programs, focusing on reducing modifiable risk factors. The health sector alone cannot address the NCDs epidemic in Bhutan, and we recommend the whole of government approach to tackle NCDs through the Bhutan Gross National Happiness framework.
Advanced radiotherapy technique in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis: Feasibility and clinical outcomes
Authors: Khorprasert Chonlakiet , Thonglert Kanokphorn , Alisanant Petch , Amornwichet Napapat
Published: September 2021

Background

In Thailand, individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who develop portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) have a restricted treatment option because to the extent of the disease, poor underlying liver function, and non-coverage of immuno/targeted therapy. Radiotherapy (RT) plays an increasingly important function in these patients. To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and adverse event rates, we performed a retrospective analysis of patients with HCC with PVTT who underwent 3-dimensional conformal radiation (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiation (IMRT), volumetric-modulated radiotherapy (VMAT), and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in a single—institution.

Objectives

To examine clinical results in terms of overall survival (OS), local control (LC), response of primary tumor and PVTT, hepatic and gastrointestinal adverse reaction, and prognosis variables for OS and LC.

Materials and methods

Between July 2007 and August 2019, non-metastatic HCC with PVTT patients treated with RT were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated.

Results

The analysis included data from 160 patients. The mean age of the patients was 60.8 years ((95% CI 58.2–62.0). The median diameter of the tumor was 7.7 cm (range: 1–24.5). 85 (54.5%) individuals had PVTT in the main or first branch. At 1.8–10 Gy per fraction, the mean biologically effective dose (BED) as α/β ratio of 10 was 49.6 (95% CI 46.7–52.5) Gy10. The median survival time was 8.3 (95% CI 6.1–10.3) months. Survival rates at one and two years were 39.6% and 17.1%, respectively. Estimated incidence of local failure using competing risk analysis were 24% and 60% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. The overall response rate was 74%, with an 18.5 percent complete response rate. In multivariate analysis, tumor size, overall response, and radiation dose were all significant prognostic variables for OS. Hepatic unfavorable events of grade 3 and 4 were for 14.1% of the total. There was no occurrences of grade 3–4 gastrointestinal toxicity, either acute or late. Additionally, there were no treatment-related mortality.

Conclusions

Advanced RT is regarded as a safe and effective therapeutic option for HCC with PVTT. Overall survival was clearly related to tumor size, radiation dose, and tumor/PVTT response. Individuals with BED 56 Gy10 had significantly better overall survival than patients with BED 56 Gy10. A prospective randomized trial is required to validate these outcomes in order to corroborate these findings.
Exposure to organochlorine pesticides as a predictor to breast cancer: A case-control study among Ethiopian women
Authors: Mekonen Seblework , Ibrahim Mohammedgezali , Astatkie Higemengist , Abreha Aynalem
Published: September 2021

Breast cancer (BC) is becoming one of the most prevalent non-infectious disease in low and middle income countries. The steady rise of BC incidence may be related to the different risk factors. Among many, rampant presence of environmental pollutants might be one of the risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate exposure to organochlorine pesticides as a risk factor to breast cancer. A case-control study design was employed among breast cancer patients and non-breast cancer individuals (controls). Blood samples were collected from 100 study participants (50 cases and 50 controls) followed by serum separation, extraction and cleanup using standard analytical procdures. The findings revealed that ten organochlorine pesticides were detected in the serum of the study participants. From the detected organochlorine pesticides, heptachlor was observed at higher concentration for breast cancer patients (6.90±4.37 μg/L) and controls (9.15±3.84 μg/L). Mean serum level of p,p’-DDE, p,p’-DDT, heptachlor, gamma-chlordane, endosulfan, and dibutyl-chlorendate were significantly higher in the serum of breast cancer patients than the controls. From the studied pesticides, p,p’-DDT and gamma-chlordane are significant predictors for BC, while, others are equivocal. A unit increment of the concentration of p,p’-DDT (AOR; 2.03, 95% CI: 1.041–3.969) increased the odds of developing breast cancer by two, while for gamma-chlordane (AOR;3.12, 95% CI; 1.186–8.203) by three. Our study results suggesting that, organochlorines are a risk factors for breast cancer in Ethiopia. Decreasing exposure to such organochlorines might have a significant public health relevance in reducing non-communicable chronic illnesses. Besides, continues monitoring of persistent organic pollutants using body biomarkers is important for disease prevention and device mitigation measures.
A diagnostic primer pair to distinguish between wMel and wAlbB Wolbachia infections
Authors: Lau Meng-Jia , Hoffmann Ary A. , Endersby-Harshman Nancy M.
Published: September 2021

Detection of the Wolbachia endosymbiont in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes through real-time polymerase chain reaction assays is widely used during and after Wolbachia releases in dengue reduction trials involving the wMel and wAlbB strains. Although several different primer pairs have been applied in current successful Wolbachia releases, they cannot be used in a single assay to distinguish between these strains. Here, we developed a new diagnostic primer pair, wMwA, which can detect the wMel or wAlbB infection in the same assay. We also tested current Wolbachia primers and show that there is variation in their performance when they are used to assess the relative density of Wolbachia. The new wMwA primers provide an accurate and efficient estimate of the presence and density of both Wolbachia infections, with practical implications for Wolbachia estimates in field collected Ae. aegypti where Wolbachia releases have taken place.
The NICU flora: An effective technique to sample surfaces
Authors: Sultan Naomi , Shchors Irina , Assous Marc V. , Bar-Meir Maskit
Published: September 2021

Objective

Environmental surface sampling in healthcare settings is not routinely recommended. There are several methods for environmental surface sampling, however the yield of these methods is not well defined. The aim of the present study is to compare two methods of environmental surface sampling, to characterize the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) flora, compare it with rates of infection and colonization and correlate it with the workload.

Design and setting

First, the yield of the swab and the gauze-pad methods were compared. Then, longitudinal surveillance of environmental surface sampling was performed over 6 months,once weekly, from pre-specified locations in the NICU. Samples were streaked onto selective media and bacterial colonies were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF).

Results

The number of colonies isolated using the gauze pad method was significantly higher compared with the swab method. Overall, 87 bacterial species of 30 different bacterial genera were identified on the NICU environmental surfaces. Of these, 18% species were potential pathogens, and the other represent skin and environmental flora. In 20% of clinical cultures and in 60% of colonization cultures, the pathogen was isolated from the infant’s environment as well. The number of bacteria in environmental cultures was negatively correlated with nurse/patient ratio in the day prior to the culture.

Conclusion

The gauze pad method for environmental sampling is robust and readily available. The NICU flora is very diverse and is closely related with the infants’ flora, therefore it may serve as a reservoir for potential pathogens.
Marxist Film Theory and Fight Club, Anna Kornbluh (2019)
Authors: Poloni Marco
Published: September 2021

Review of: Marxist Film Theory and Fight Club, Anna Kornbluh (2019)

New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 187pp.,

ISBN: 9781501347306 (pbk), $19.95
Wild Strawberries (1957)
Authors: Pisano Drew , Schlotterbeck Jesse
Published: September 2021

Wild Strawberries (1957)

Sweden

Director Ingmar Bergman

Runtime 92 minutes

Blu-ray

USA, 2013

Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region A)
The Shining (1980)
Authors: Watts Tylen
Published: September 2021

The Shining (1980)

USA

Director Stanley Kubrick

Runtime 144 minutes

Blu-ray, 4K UHD

USA, 2019

Distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc. (region A/B/C)
City and nation in cultural perspective: Introduction
Authors: Glynn Ruth
Published: September 2021

This Special Issue explores how cultural production and practice understand and articulate the changing relationship between city and nation, in the light of globalization and the increasing freedom of cities to build, brand and promote themselves independent of the nation state. The Introduction maps the scholarship pertaining to cultural engagements with city and nation, highlighting their separation into two distinct spheres. It reviews the existing scholarship on city–nation relations in the field of urban studies (where discussion has centred on the emergence of ‘world cities’ and their implications for nation states) and in urban history. It locates in Vivian Bickford-Smith’s work on cities and nationalism in South Africa a rich source of inspiration for the volume’s complementary study of the role played by cultural production and practice in articulating, shaping and negotiating understandings of city and nation in contemporary Europe. It closes with an overview of the contributing articles.
Build the imaginary: Urban futures and New Towns in post-war French spatial planning
Authors: Welch Edward
Published: September 2021

Post-war France was reshaped by a sustained period of spatial planning and modernization. This was particularly so during the presidency of Charles de Gaulle (1958–69), as the country positioned itself as a modern European nation after decolonization. In its approach and execution, French spatial planning represented the sort of imperious state intervention critiqued by radical spatial theorists such as Henri Lefebvre. Yet it remained the case that the planners articulated a rich vision of France’s future, filled with space and light. Not only that, but they had the means to bring their vision into being. During the mid-1960s, the building of New Towns became central to their thinking. This article revisits spatial planning as a realm of the imagination and considers how the nation’s future was portrayed in textual and visual forms. It explores how the translation of dreams into built realities became a source of political tension, and how those tensions found public expression in the visual media.
The right to urban public space and aesthetic dissensus for democratic citizenship
Authors: Tunali Tijen
Published: September 2021

In the last three decades, across the world, there have emerged mass movements, uprisings and revolts targeting neo-liberal global capitalism and its radical reorganization of urban hierarchies. As a result, cities have become the central stage for sociopolitical struggles. While the scholarship on new social movements has recognized the aesthetic potential of political organizing since the beginning of the anti-globalization movement in 1999, new approaches are needed to understand the aesthetic dissensus of contemporary activism within the urban space. This article theorizes aesthetics as a potentially radicalizing force in proposing a democratic citizenship in the city. Indebted to the theories of Henri Lefebvre, David Harvey, James Holston, Mark Purcell and Jacques Rancière, it discusses the new synthesis of political and aesthetic forms, action and experience in urban social movement praxis. Taking Gezi Park resistance in Turkey (2013) as a case study, it seeks to understand the relationship of activist aesthetics to changing practices and conceptions of citizenship.
Resonant voices: The poetic register in exegetical writing for creative practice
Authors: Ings Welby
Published: September 2021

Quality, exegetical writing can be constrained when students marginalize poetic ways of thinking and replace them with carefully edited accounts that reshape the role and nature of emotional response. In the pursuit of rational, theoretically groomed accounts of practice, they can sometimes end up misrepresenting the embodied nature of their inquiries. Considering burgeoning research into poetic inquiry (PI) in the social sciences, this article employs a case study of five doctoral graduates in art and design who have articulated the role of poetic thinking in their creative practice theses. In addition to offering illustrations of how practice-led researchers use PI, the examples demonstrate ways in which poetic approaches can be employed to enhance communicative clarity beyond the constraints of conventional academic writing. Specifically, the examples demonstrate how poetic writing is used to process and articulate indigenous knowledge, enhance embodied thinking and inquiry and deepen levels of reflection and understanding. Such uses can cause a researcher to view the world differently and by extension, expand the nature of what it means to conduct research. In discussing the nature of poetic writing, the article considers three distinct profiles: exegetical writing employed when the nature of the practice is poetic; poetic writing that draws on indigenous approaches to scholarship and poetic writing used as a method for reflection.
TOURISM AND EXTENSION IN HIGHER EDUCATION: The UFS de Braços Abertos project and demystifying percpetions of the university
Authors: Santos Pedro Henrique Jesus , Leal Rosana Eduardo da Silva
Published: September 2021

University extension is an inseparable tool from teaching and research, and aims to popularize science by providing services to society. In higher education in Tourism, extension activities are indispensable in the process of raising citizenship awareness among professionals in the area. Based on these premises, this article reflects on the importance of university extension as a tool for higher education in Tourism, as well as for democratizing access to university, taking as its field of study the project UFS de Braços Abertos. We begin with a report of experience of one of the actions of the project, in partnership with the Física Show, conducted with elementary and high school students from the city of Propriá, in the state of Sergipe/SE. The aims were: i) to critically discuss the common sense vision of the University as a restricted, excluding space that is distant from society, ii) to analyze the importance of the projects UFS de Braços Abertos and Física Show in the career choice of students in Basic Education and iii) to reflect on the importance of university extension projects for academic and professional training on the course in Tourism at Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS). As theoretical and methodological contributions, we adopted participant research (GIL, 2008), linked to descriptive research, and a qualitative approach. Our reflections indicate an increasing need to discuss university extension activities, bearing in mind that they provide a practical laboratory where theory and practice can be combined, contributing to students’ academic and professional training. Extension projects also provide opportunities for inclusion of the community outside the walls of UFS. We conclude that since tourism is an activity that encompasses other areas of knowledge, which are necessary for its performance, studies in this area should also include transdisciplinary extension activities inherent to the learning process.
LIVETUR - The subject is Tourism
Authors: Conceição Cálidon Costa da , Conceição Clêrta Costa da
Published: September 2021

The scope of the project “LiveTur - The subject is Tourism” was to address the academic market, bringing content and professionals with experience and expertise in tourism. In the methodological procedures, a case study was used, with qualitative research of an exploratory and explanatory nature. The results enabled the generation of content that was transformed into an archive of fifty videos on a range of topics, including tourism, hospitality, events and gastronomy, giving an opportunity to share knowledge and experience, as well as to present professionals from various sectors of national and international tourist activity.
Accessibility for the third Age in the Hotel Industry of the City of João Pessoa -PB
Authors: Soares Elane Raquel do Nascimento , Brambilla Fernanda , Brambilla Adriana , Vanzella Elídio
Published: September 2021

This research focuses on accessibility for Third Age guests in the coastal hotels of João Pessoa, through the Institutional Program of Scientific Initiation Scholarships, together with the Pro-rectorate of research of Universidade Federal da Paraíba (Propesq/UFPB). Its object of study is hotels located in the city of João Pessoa, in the Brazilian state of Paraíba. The general objective of the study was to investigate whether the conditions of accessibility at these accommodation establishments meet the needs of the Third Age public, a growing sector of potential guests that has more free time and disposable income than ever before, and is seeking travel, knowledge and new experiences. However, the tourism trade, especially the hotel sector, must be prepared to offer good quality service, exceeding expectations and meeting the needs of this tourist sector, as it is a public that often requires greater attention and care due to issues of decreased mobility. This research was conducted using the descriptive method, with quantitative/qualitative analysis. Field research was carried out, firstly, through in loco observation and then through the application of a checklist, which was sent to the email due to Covid-19 restrictions, to sixteen coastal hotels in the municipality, based on bibliographic and documentary research. The results show that accessibility needs to be improved for this public, as some sectors do not offer accessibility to areas such as the reception, restaurant and swimming pool, preventing these guests from making full use of the services offered and even, in some cases, creating unsafe conditions. This study is important for the academic community, the tourism industry, and society as a whole, as its results will enable hotel managers to identify weaknesses and improve their establishments, as well as training their employees to serve this public and building customer loyalty through excellence in the provision of services.
ANÁLISE DA PEREGRINAÇÃO NAS FESTIVIDADES DO DIVINO PAI ETERNO EM TRINDADE/GO
Authors: ENOQUE ALESSANDRO GOMES , ALMEIDA LORRANA LAILA SILVA DE
Published: September 2021

Este trabalho objetivou compreender a peregrinação em honra ao Divino Pai Eterno em Trindade/GO, a partir das percepções dos romeiros que realizam a caminhada, considerando quatro dimensões principais: identitária, religiosa, turística e econômica. Como procedimentos metodológicos foi adotada a abordagem qualitativa, a partir de uma pesquisa de campo, exploratória e descritiva. Os instrumentos para a coleta dos dados compreenderam entrevistas semiestruturadas conduzidas por meio de um roteiro. A técnica utilizada para a análise dos dados foi a Análise de Discurso. Como
resultados, a peregrinação apresenta-se como sendo um ritual marcado pelo sacrifício e pelo sofrimento daquele que empreende esta caminhada. Este, o romeiro, motivado pela fé ou pela tradição familiar, empreende esta caminhada com o objetivo de cumprir os votos pedidos ou concedidos, sejam eles de natureza econômica ou até mesmo relacionados a doenças ou de conteúdo mais cotidiano.
Considerando o trajeto percorrido como sendo de natureza sagrada, o peregrino revela certo incômodo com a influência do campo econômico na esfera religiosa e tende a separar as espacialidades e temporalidades, profanas e sagradas, tanto no universo da festa quanto da caminhada.