bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Oil Prices and Major Macroeconomic Factors in the Economic Growth of Selected G20 Countries
Authors: Çanakcı Mehmet
Published: April 2021

The research is focused on investigating the influence of oil price fluctuation and different selected macroeconomic indicators on the economic growth of selected G20 countries. The research simply applied descriptive analysis technique as well as regression analysis technique by using a random effect model and Pearson correlation analysis technique to investigate formulated objectives. Results of the research suggested that oil prices and GDP in selected G20 countries have a negative relationship with each other. Results of the research further suggested that the broad money, balance of payment and inflation have a negative impact on the exchange rate of selected G20 countries. These results suggest that it is important for selected G20 countries to make sure to decrease the oil rents and maintain oil prices to have overall positive impact on the economy. Overall, results of the research suggest that a decrease in oil prices can be a significant factor for having a positive influence on the economic growth and progress of selected G20 countries.
Possibilities of Increasing of Energy Efficiency in a Small Enterprises - Case Study
Authors: Perný Milan , Šály Vladimír , Andráš Milan , Valášek Lukáš , Packa Juraj
Published: April 2021

Reducing the electricity consumption is a current trend which has an economic, social and environmental impact. Measures which are outlined to increase efficiency are also supported by legislation and could be funded from the national or European funds in EU countries. In Slovakia, there are many establishments, public buildings and households built in past decades where energy is being wasted. Approximately the share one third of the consumed energy in Slovakia belongs to industry. This statistic naturally legitimizes the effort to achieve energy savings in this segment. We choose a body which is in use partially as commercial offices and partially as production facility. The matter was to identify areas with excessive energy consumption and propose appropriate measures to avoid unnecessary losses. The paper presents more aspects of building operation regarding of energy consumption, especially in relation with old buildings with more structural and operational defects and propose some ways of the improvements the energy efficiency. The work also includes experimental data and simplified economy considerations related to the proposed measures. Finally the step model is presented in order to simplify the decision making process. The model is relevant and also applicable generally for the other engineering disciplines.
El cuidado hospice como un cuidado humanizado en el final de la vida
Authors: Radosta Darío Iván
Published: April 2021

Este trabajo se propone analizar las prácticas de cuidado de personas enfermas en el final de la vida llevadas a cabo en el contexto de una institución hospice ubicada en la provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. A partir de una metodología cualitativa de investigación, entre 2016 y 2020 se realizó un trabajo de campo etnográfico, con observación participante en los diversos equipos de voluntarios y personal de enfermería en su labor diaria, complementada con charlas informales y dos encuestas. Adicionalmente, se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con actores claves. Del material recabado, se muestran algunos de los valores sobre los que se sustenta el cuidado hospice y que discuten directamente con el modelo biomédico, tales como la integralidad, el holismo y el respeto por la autonomía de la persona enferma. Como hipótesis, se sostiene que el cuidado, como práctica constitutiva de la interacción humana, produce y reproduce valores que componen el entramado de la vida social. Por tanto, analizar prácticas de cuidado en contextos no clínicos, a partir de propuestas que buscan humanizar el contexto de la atención de la salud, brinda herramientas para pensar críticamente los valores que estructuran nuestro sistema sanitario.
Motivation of protest and socio-political activity of an individual and its potential in the system of life-purpose orientations
Authors:   Saratov State University, Klenova Milena A.
Published: April 2021

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the need for formation of theoretical and practical knowledge and technologies that allow to determine the structure of motivation of socio-political and protest activity. The purpose of the study is to investigate motivation of protest and socio-political activity of an individual and its potential within the system of life-purpose orientations. Presumably, the motivational structure of socio-political and protest activity reveals similarities in the manifestation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics. The study was carried out on a sample of university students (N = 153) from the city of Saratov aged from 18 to 24 years using the following psycho-diagnostic tools: a questionnaire aimed at registering various forms of social activity (R. M. Shamionov, I. V. Arendachuk, E. E. Bocharova, et.al.); the author’s questionnaire aimed at studying motivation of socio-po litical and protest activity (M. A. Klenova); Basic Beliefs Scale (developed by R. YanoffBulman and modified by M. A. Padun and A. V. Kotelnikova); Life-Purpose Orientations Test (D. A. Leontiev). We found out that socio-political and protest forms of activity are not preferable for young people. We also determined the main motives of socio-political and protest activity: interest, reputation, the need to change the world, active civic position and self-expression. We established the similarity of motives for actualization of socio-political and protest activity. The motives for socio-political activity are the interest in the benevolence of the world around and the desire for personal reputation, maintaining a positive image of the ego and controlling personal invulnerability. The motives for protest activity are the need to implement active civic position and change the world outside and the need to control life events. The obtained data can be implemented in the practice of organizing socially useful activities of young people, taking into account the motives of its actualization.
Los límites de la justicia dialógica en la protección de los derechos sociales en Colombia
Authors: Cano Blandón Luisa Fernanda
Published: April 2021

El artículo tiene el propósito de analizar los límites de la justicia dialógica que, en años recientes, han implementado los tribunales constitucionales, entre ellos, la Corte Constitucional colombiana, para proteger los derechos sociales, principalmente, en casos estructurales que implican la vulneración sistemática de estos derechos a un grupo importante de personas, y cuya solución amerita el diseño y la ejecución de políticas públicas. Para ello, el texto aborda el experimentalismo democrático y la gobernanza experimental, y utiliza ejemplos de la jurisprudencia constitucional de Colombia para mostrar los límites de este tipo de decisiones y las posibles alternativas para contrarrestarlos. Para finalizar, se aboga por una garantía judicial de los derechos sociales híbrida y contextualizada, de manera que se complementen las órdenes dialógicas con otro tipo de medidas para no dejar desprotegidos los derechos.
Dos lecturas de la teoría de la justicia constitucional de Roberto Gargarella
Authors: Ortega Roberto Niembro
Published: April 2021

En este trabajo presento dos lecturas posibles de la teoría de la justicia constitucional de Roberto Gargarella. Por un lado, una lectura elyana o procedimentalista y, por el otro, una lectura transformadora. La primera está preocupada por hacer frente a la objeción contramayoritaria y propone la restricción del control judicial. La segunda está enfocada en el cambio social a través del derecho en una dirección democrática, participativa e igualitaria, por lo que es una teoría normativa para la justicia constitucional en toda su extensión. Desde mi punto de vista, la lectura procedimental es insuficiente para los tribunales constitucionales de América Latina, aunque sí es parcialmente útil para explicar y justificar algunos casos. Por su parte, la visión transformadora resulta más plausible a la luz de los compromisos con la igualdad material que tiene su visión del constitucionalismo latinoamericano. Sin embargo, la transformación, para ser efectiva, necesita también de la protección del derecho a la protesta y la libertad de expresión, los cuales son pilares del proceso político.
Censored
Authors: Lam Michelle
Published: April 2021

The first of two related poems in which an imaginary dialogue takes place between the Speaker and the Researcher. The versions juxtapose what an immigrant says in the interview and what he/she is expected to say, feel and think.  The first poem: “Censored” erases much of the text to present a dominant, status quo perspective.
Uncensored
Authors: Lam Michelle
Published: April 2021

The second of two related poems in which an imaginary dialogue takes place between the Speaker and the Researcher where key issues are explored related to being a Black immigrant woman in the White and winter white Manitoba, where no one really cares about the culture clash experienced.
Borders, Kinship Disruption, and Collapsed Immobility: A Pendula of All My Relations
Authors: Cheechoo Keri , Cheechoo Patrick
Published: April 2021

Words are like arrows…

Through poetic inquiry and art, this co-authored submission will include an inter/textual representation of Indigenous Métissage which will ask readers to ‘explore’ the lived experiences of colonialist displacement that has (re)framed kinship disruption through a lens that includes collapsed immobility. By engaging both ethical relationality and collapsed immobility (a response to a threat or strategies), the authors will navigate ‘the self’ through a lens that will speak to the (de)lineation and/or (non)existence of governmentally enforced borders present on ancestral territories. Leaning into ancestral aptitude, the authors will make space for All Our Relations to simultaneously step forward by reaching back to “come home” (McLeod, 2007, p. 67).
Multisensory Stories
Authors: Sitter Kathleen
Published: April 2021

Call for Submissions for the CPI Special Issue (Summer 2021) Multisensory Stories. This Special CPI Issue invites submissions by artists and authors that consider, represent, and centre multi-sensory storytelling as embodied knowledge. We are interested in exploring what it means to value different ways in which we come to know, feel, and experience the world through all of our senses — touch; taste; smell; sound; sight.
McDonaldlaştırma ve Simülasyon Teorileri Bağlamında Postmodernizm ve Spor
Authors: DEVER Ayhan , ATEŞOĞLU Sinem
Published: April 2021

Moderniteye bir başkaldırı olarak ortaya çıkan postmodernizmin, toplumsal hayatın hemen her alanına etkide bulunduğu, değiştirdiği ve dönüştürdüğü ifade edilmektedir. Bu değişim ve dönüşümden sanat, edebiyat, mimari, müzik vb. alanlar daha fazla oranda etkilenmektedir. Buna bağlı olarak dünya postmodern anlayış doğrultusunda yeniden şekillendirilmekte ve buna uygun yeni tarzlar ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bunun yanı sıra postmodernizmin, toplumsal bir kurum olarak spora olan etkilerinden de söz etmemiz mümkündür. Bu etkiler doğrultusunda postmodern döneme ait yeni bir spor anlayışı ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu çalışmanın amacı postmodernizmin, spora bakışını ortaya koymaktır. Çalışmada postmodern teoriler olarak ifade edilen McDonaldslaştırma ve Simülasyon teorileri, sporla ilişkilendirilmeye çalışılmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda öncelikli olarak McDonaldslaştırma teorisinin dört temel boyutu (hesaplanabilirlik, öngörülebilirlik, verimlilik, denetim) spora uyarlanmış ve spor olgusunun bu dört temel boyuta uygun bir şekilde açıklanabileceği ortaya çıkmıştır. Bir diğer postmodern teori olarak Simülasyon teorisi ele alınmış, teorinin temel kavramlarından birisi olan hiper – gerçeklik düşüncesi spora uyarlanmaya çalışılmıştır. Özellikle televizyon futbolu bağlamında ele alınan hiper – gerçeklik düşüncesinin, televizyon futbolunun, simüle edilen gerçeklikten daha da gerçeklik taşıdığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca bahsi geçen postmodern teorilere dayanarak oyun kurallarının, oyunu daha da hızlandıracak şekilde değiştirildiği ve taraftarlık anlayışının da bir değişim içerisine girerek, doğrudan tüketime odaklanan ve maçları evlerinde televizyon karşısında izleyen post-taraftarların ortaya çıktığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
THE DESCRIPTION OF EATING PATTERNS AND RISK FOR GASTRITIS IN STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN WESTERN INDONESIA
Authors: Prasetyaningsih Eka , Duru Erol Pratama , Novitasari Ester , Patrisia Ineke , Surbakti Juwita Fransiska
Published: April 2021

Gastritis is an acute or chronic inflammation that occurs in the gastric mucosa. According to WHO (2012), gastritis was ranked sixth of the top ten diseases that cause morbidity in the world. This study aims to identify an overview of eating patterns and the risk of gastritis occurrence in students at the Teacher College of Private University in the Western Indonesia. This research used descriptive quantitative with a cross-sectional approach. A sample of 165 students was taken using a purposive sampling technique. The research instrument used online questionnaires with univariate analysis. Result showed that there were 92 (55%) respondents who had irregular eating frequency, 94 (57%) respondents who had irregular meal times, 100 (60.6%) respondents who had irregular food types, and 101 respondents (61.2%) who were at risk of developing gastritis. Recommendations: The results of the study are expected to be used to provide education to respondents, families, and the community.
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Teaching philosophy at a Technical University: the inconsistency of modern realities and possibility of digital methods
Authors:   Bryansk State Technical University, Lobeeva V.M.
Published: April 2021

Examined are modern problems of teaching philosophy at a technical university. The author shows that there is a pronounced contradiction between the goals and the current conditions of teaching philosophy, which makes it difficult to fully realize the potential of philosophy as an academic discipline. The thesis is formulated that the use of teaching methods based on digital technologies can help to overcome this contradiction to a certain extent. The author gives examples of using digital methods from her own teaching practice and proves their effectiveness as additional methodological tools. The necessity of increasing the number of classroom hours devoted to the study of philosophy is also emphasized.
Synergetic effects by digitalization of education in natural science, example of training in physics at University
Authors:   Kazan State Agrarian University, Arkulis M.A. , Nikolaev A.A. , Logunova O.S. , Savchenko Yu.I. , Koroleva V.V.
Published: April 2021

Presented is the study of developing a theory of practice of synergetic design and virtual physical laboratories to increase the level of compliance with reality and reduce the level of learner’s immersion in the virtual environment. The authors considered one of the objectives leading to the achievement of the goal, the use of synergistic aspect in the digitalization of physical education which allows consolidating virtuality and reality of the surrounding world, and use the “positive” effects to form new physical knowledge of the learner. The authors defined the requirements for digital physics labs, which should provide realism, interactivity, automation and virtualization. The distinctive feature of the research is the synergetic aspect, which consolidates subject knowledge, mathematical modeling and philosophical reflection. The combination of these components made it possible to synthesize a new form of digital physical laboratory and to perform its software implementation based on the developed scenario diagram for the incoming actors. The software implementation of the digital physical laboratory required: preparation of video clips with a series of physical experiments, definition of the laboratory work order (progress) and examples of “return” from virtual reality. The testing of the synergetic aspect and the possibility of its realization was done on the example of a digital laboratory work in the study of the fall of a body.
Postgraduate training system and scientific and pedagogical activity in assessments of French PhD students
Authors:   Leonov Moscow Region University of Technology, Urazhok T.V.
Published: April 2021

Discussed are issues of postgraduate training system in France. The European system of doctoral training was always effective, had a great diversity of programs, wide opportunities for the graduates. It set trends for postgraduate training systems all over the world. France is the second economy of the European Union, producing almost a fifth of the European Union’s GDP. This country is among the leaders that allocate a large number of funds to finance the research sector. In 2018, France’s gross domestic spending on R&D was 2.3%. In this regard, the social survey of French PhD students was conducted. They were asked to answer questions about the effectiveness of the French postgraduate training system as a whole and to assess the social and psychological side of the doctoral education process. We considered such aspects of the problem as the competitiveness of the French doctoral school in comparison with other countries, employment in the scientific and pedagogical area, the perception of the research fellow, and the obstacles that arise in the process of writing the thesis. The empirical basis of the study is a survey conducted in 2019–2020. The sample consisted of 149 people. It is noted that in general, future candidates of sciences tend to get into the research environment to continue working as full-fledged researchers. The analysis also showed that despite the good funding, there are certain problems in the field of science that concern the current generation of PhD students.
Trends of civic activity of Russian Youth in municipalities
Authors:   Ural Institute of Management — branch of RANEPA under the President of the Russian Federation, Zerchaninova T.E. , Nikitina A.S.
Published: April 2021

Analyzed is the problem of necessity of civic engagement of today’s Russian youth as a socio-political phenomenon. Based on the empirical sociological data collected by the authors, the article examines the main trends and forecasts of civic activity of Russian youth in municipalities, which will become predetermined in the near future. The authors conducted an empirical sociological study in October-December 2020. The data collection method is a questionnaire survey of young people aged 14–30 (n = 2026 people) living in the Russian Federation. In addition to quantitative research methods, qualitative ones were also used: in January 2021, an expert interview was conducted with ten experts in the field of youth policy and civic participation of Russian youth. In conclusion, the authors formulate conclusions and recommendations aimed at increasing the positive active civic participation of Russian youth in municipalities.
A amostragem em bola de neve na pesquisa qualitativa
Authors: Vinuto Juliana
Published: April 2021

Este artigo pretende discutir a amostragem nomeada como “bola de neve”, uma forma de amostra não probabilística que utiliza cadeias de referência. Apesar de suas limitações, a amostragem em bola de neve pode ser útil para pesquisar grupos difíceis de serem acessados ou estudados, bem como quando não há precisão sobre sua quantidade. Além disso, esse tipo específico de amostragem também é útil para estudar questões delicadas, de âmbito privado e, portanto, que requer o conhecimento das pessoas pertencentes ao grupo ou reconhecidos por estas para localizar informantes para estudo. Apesar da existência de alguns trabalhos sobre essa forma de amostragem em outros países, no Brasil é quase nula a produção de artigos referentes à própria aplicação dessa forma de amostragem, e este trabalho pretende auxiliar nas discussões possíveis sobre a mesma.
Managerial perception of employees in travel agencies in Montenegro
Authors: Vučetić Aleksa
Published: April 2021

Many developing countries strive, through stimulating employment policy in tourism sector, to ensure the new opportunities for development. Specificity of perception of managers in that respect is influenced by a lot of factors, from personal characteristic of managers, internal forces of travel agencies, migrations and performance of workforce, and business cycle of a travel agency. It is also very important that managers do not prefer the „hard“ to „soft“ approach in human resource management, because that would demotivate human resources in the long run, and thereby jeopardize the competitive advantages of travel agencies. The basic aims of the research are to find dominant type of manager`s approach in human resource management, and manager`s motivation tchniques in travel agencies in Montenegro. General scientific methods of cognition, observation, surveying and the statistical method are used in the paper, and as regards special scientific methods of cognition, the methods of abstraction and concretization are used. The basic hypothesis in the research is that, managers in travel agencies in Montengro, favorable „soft“ approach in human resource management, and non-matherial tehniques of human resource motivation. Research finding is that with combined motivation techniques of human resource motivation (material and non-material), managers could provide more significantly business results than they are nowadays in travel agencies in Montenegro.
An application of AHP approach to investigate tourism promotional effectiveness
Authors: Lai Wen-Hsiang , Vinh Nguyen Quang
Published: April 2021

Purpose – The tourism industry service network (TISN) is considered to be one of the largest components of tourism in the modern Vietnamese economy. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) is currently developing a long-term plan to diversify the country’s tourism industry and to improve the destination image of Vietnam. To successfully implement this plan, the Vietnamese tourism industry must employ effective promotional strategies. Design – This study designs to determine the necessity of measuring the effectiveness of the promotional activities of tourist destinations and to decide upon a promotional strategy that appropriately parallels the desired destination attributes and destination image. Methodology – This study proposes to address tourism promotional efficiency using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methodology, a decision-making method based on pairwise comparisons between criteria, and constructs an evaluation structure with criteria-associated weights for factor selection. Approach – In accordance with AHP design, this study selects participants who had been in charge of or served in the Vietnamese tourism industry for a number of years. Findings – This study finds that “government policy”, “service staff” and “tourist satisfaction” are the three most important factors impacting tourism promotional effectiveness. Surprisingly, “tourist loyalty” and “tourism infrastructure” are considered to be the least important factors affecting tourism promotional efficiency. Originality of the research – This study provides valuable information and knowledge of tourism promotional effectiveness to be fully shared and passed on in the tourism industry, resulting in a corporate cultural atmosphere that creates the innovative impetus of destination attributes and images.
Communication with market segments - travel agencies' perspective
Authors: Bašan Lorena , Dlačić Jasmina , Trezner Željko
Published: April 2021

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to research the travel agencies’ communication with market segments. Communication with market segments takes into account marketing communication means as well as the implementation of different business orientations. Design – Special emphasis is placed on the use of different marketing communication means and their efficiency. Research also explores business orientation adaptation when approaching different market segments. Methodology – In exploring marketing communication means, insights from Van der Merve (2003) were used. A selling orientation-customer orientation (SOCO) scale (Periatt, LeMay and Chakrabarty 2004) was implemented for exploring travel agencies’ business orientation. In exploring travellers’ motivations, insights from Ružic, Turkalj and Racic (2003), and Tomas Summer (2010) were used. Findings – Research results indicate that additional efforts should be made in restructuring travel agencies’ promotional budgets. Marketing communication means are not used according to the efficiency of their allocation. Therefore, the efficiency of marketing communication means used for reaching target markets should be taken into account. Additionally, travel agencies adapt their business orientation according to the importance of market segments. But future development and interaction with market segments should also be taken into account when adapting business orientation. Originality of this research – The originality is evident in the insights it provides about travel agencies’ communication efforts on target markets. It is original because it applies a selling orientation-customer orientation to a travel agency setting, and its research results indicate that business orientation implementation depends on the target market.
Exploring the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in Croatian hotel industry
Authors: Marković Suzana , Raspor Janković Sanja
Published: April 2021

Purpose – The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction. The main objective was to discuss the impact of perceived service quality dimensions on customer satisfaction in the hotel industry in Croatia. Methodology – The data were collected using self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts. First, perceived service quality was measured using modified SERVQUAL model. Second, customer satisfaction was operationalized with one variable, representing overall satisfaction measure. Third, demographic variables were included. Questionnaires were distributed to domestic and international hotel guests in the Opatija Riviera (Croatia). Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. Findings – Factor analysis identified four dimensions of perceived service quality, namely reliability, empathy and competence of staff, accessibility and tangibles. Multiple regression analysis showed that reliability, accessibility and tangibles had a significant and positive effect on overall customer satisfaction. On the other hand, empathy and competence of staff positively influenced hotel guests’ satisfaction, but this impact was not statistically significant when other dimensions were involved. These results indicate that hotel service quality is indeed a significant predictor of customer satisfaction. Thus, improving hotel service quality, results with higher satisfaction levels of hotel guests. Value/originality – The present study focuses on determining relative importance of perceived hotel service quality dimensions in relation to customer satisfaction, reporting the findings from Croatia. Therefore, it contributes to the existing literature on service quality and customer satisfaction relationship in hotel industry.
Impact of weather changes on consumption of beverages in the hospitality industry
Authors: Cerović Zdenko , Horvat Đuro
Published: April 2021

Purpose – The trends of consumption of beverages in the hospitality industry are an important segment of managers’ prediction in the creation and planning of future tourist spending. Predicting the motives and needs of tourists in the consumption of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is of special interest to managers in the hospitality industry. This paper analyses interdependence and the impact of weather changes on the consumption of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. The objective is to analyse the interdependence of the weather (climate) and consumption so that the managers could more successfully create future level of tourist demand for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as an important segment in the creation of tourist consumption in hospitality companies. Design – The research model of the set tasks are hospitality companies for provision of beverage services, i.e. benchmarking with comparable hospitality companies. The used data are those of weather changes in the Adriatic destinations of Porec, Opatija, Mali Lošinj, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik. Methodology – Regression analysis is used to verify the set hypothesis, that the quantity of consumed beverages increases with the increase in the number of overnights and air temperature. Approach – The intention is to verify the hypothesis that the weather i.e. temperature changes, humidity, and precipitation determine pleasant atmosphere which affects the level of consumption of beverages. Findings –Multiple determination coefficient of 99% shows that 99% of variations in the quantity of the consumed beverages is explained by changes in the number of overnights i.e. air temperature. Originality of the research – The analysed impacts of climate changes on the consumption of beverages is analysed on the example of Adriatic tourist destinations. Research results are applicable in practice and are especially useful to managers on the tourist market regarding prediction of weather changes and, accordingly, creation of high-quality products and services.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Treatment With Intravenous Immunoglobulins (IVIG)
Authors: Justiz Vaillant Angel , Ferrer Cosme Belkis
Published: April 2021

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a broad array of clinical signs. In this study, we aimed to use intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), called intacglobin, as a monotherapy to manage SLE in three patients. Laboratory investigations for SLE diagnosis were performed, including the detection of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and SLE confirmation by detecting high titers of anti-dsDNA antibodies. C3 and C4 serum levels were assessed, as well as the determination of immunoglobulins. The SLEDAI score was measured to determine whether a significant degree of disease activity existed and as a prognostic value. The evaluation of any chest infection was performed by chest-X-ray. The patients were treated with five–ten g/day of IVIG for six consecutive days, followed by five–ten g/month. Immunological evaluation demonstrated that patients presented with a flare of SLE with high titers of ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies, low C3 and C4, and elevated immunoglobulin levels. The SLEDAI score falls from 10 to below 3, and chest infections in some patients are cleared up. The postulated mechanisms of action of IVIG demonstrated that it could be used as an immunosuppressor, immunomodulator, and antimicrobial agent in patients with SLE.
A Thermodynamic Approach to Measuring Entropy in a Few-Electron Nanodevice
Authors: Pyurbeeva Eugenia , Mol Jan
Published: April 2021

The entropy of a system gives a powerful insight into its microscopic degrees of freedom, however standard experimental ways of measuring entropy through heat capacity are hard to apply to nanoscale systems, as they require the measurement of increasingly small amounts of heat. Two alternative entropy measurement methods have been recently proposed for nanodevices: through charge balance measurements and transport properties. We describe a self-consistent thermodynamic framework for treating few-electron nanodevices which incorporates both existing entropy measurement methods, whilst highlighting several ongoing misconceptions. We show that both methods can be described as special cases of a more general relation and prove its applicability in systems with complex microscopic dynamics – those with many excited states of various degeneracies.
Time Varying Cosmological Constant and Its Implications for Structure Formation
Authors: Rebecca Louise , Sivaram C , Kenath Arun
Published: April 2021

Although the presence of dark energy is well established from various observations, its true nature is still not well understood. The cosmological constant term seems to be the preferred candidate. In earlier work we had a constant cosmological constant term to limit the sizes of large-scale structures at lower redshifts. In this work, we extend this to large scale structures at higher redshifts. Here we invoke a time varying cosmological constant to set constraints on sizes of galaxies at high redshifts and see that they are consistent with their observed sizes. The time-varying cosmological constant also provides a possible solution to the puzzle of structure formation of large disk galaxies (like the Wolfe disk) observed at very early stages of the Universe. Future observations of galaxies at even higher redshifts could support our approach.
Investigating Producer Preferences for Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica L.: Lythraceae) & Their Perceptions Regarding Crapemyrtle Bark Scale
Authors: Marwah Pulkit , Zhang Yu Yvette , Gu Mengmeng
Published: April 2021

Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica L.: Lythraceae) is the most popular summer flowering tree in the U.S. Its total value sold has almost doubled since 1998. Consumers prize crapemyrtles for their beauty and pest resistance. However, current crapemyrtle production and use is being threatened by crapemyrtle bark scale (Acanthococcus lagerstroemiae (Kuwana, 1907)) (CMBS), which has been confirmed in 12 U.S. states after its first sighting in Texas in 2004. Our survey results indicate that producers anticipate a significant decrease in the value of crapemyrtle due to CMBS, in the magnitude of 29.93% and 33.79%, in our 2018 and 2019 surveys respectively. Our findings indicate industry demand for CMBS control. We used a non-parametric test to compare the producers’ responses to several questions regarding CMBS-control, among the different producer categories included in our sample. Incorporated businesses showed the most support, followed by part-nerships, and family/individual operations were the least supportive of science-based CMBS control research. Large businesses predicted a more serious decrease in crapemyrtles’ value as compared to smaller businesses. More businesses with high volume of crapemyrtle-related business considered the benefits of CMBS-control to be higher than its cost, as compared to other businesses. We also used a relative importance index to illustrate the ranking of different attrib-utes of crapemyrtles that producers consider while making decisions about growing/purchasing the plants. Flower color was found to be the most important attribute, followed by disease re-sistance. If the issue of CMBS gets out of control, the industry might need to find potential re-placements to crapemyrtle. The most popular landscape plants that can potentially replace crapemyrtle, in the opinion of producers we surveyed, are vitex (Texas lilac) and magnolia.
A Better Approach for Solving a Fuzzy Multiobjective Programming Problem by Level Sets
Authors: Hernández-Jiménez Beatriz , Ruiz-Garzón Gabriel , Beato-Moreno Antonio , Osuna-Gómez Rafaela
Published: April 2021

In this paper we deal with the resolution of a fuzzy multiobjective programming problem using the level sets optimization. We compare it to other optimization strategies studied until now and we propose an algorithm to identify possible Pareto efficient optimal solutions.
Distance Between Two Circles In Any Number Of Dimensions Is A Vector Ellipse
Authors: Tan Asli Pinar
Published: April 2021

Based on measured astronomical position data of heavenly objects in the Solar System and other planetary systems, all bodies in space seem to move in some kind of elliptical motion with respect to each other, whereas objects follow parabolic escape orbits while moving away from Earth and bodies asserting a gravitational pull, and some comets move in near-hyperbolic orbits when they approach the Sun. In this article, it is first mathematically proven that the “distance between points on any two different circles in three-dimensional space” is equivalent to the “distance of points on a vector ellipse from another fixed or moving point, as in two-dimensional space.” Then, it is further mathematically demonstrated that “distance between points on any two different circles in any number of multiple dimensions” is equivalent to “distance of points on a vector ellipse from another fixed or moving point”. Finally, two special cases when the “distance between points on two different circles in multi-dimensional space” become mathematically equivalent to distances in “parabolic” or “near-hyperbolic” trajectories are investigated. Concepts of “vector ellipse”, “vector hyperbola”, and “vector parabola” are also mathematically defined. The mathematical basis derived in this Article is utilized in the book “Everyhing Is A Circle: A New Model For Orbits Of Bodies In The Universe” in asserting a new Circular Orbital Model for moving bodies in the Universe, leading to further insights in Astrophysics.
Epithermal Fluorite Deposits in Transbaikalia (Geochemical Features, Sources of Matter and Fluids, and Genesis)
Authors: Lastochkin E.I. , Ripp G.S. , Tsydenova D.S. , Posokhov V.F. , Murzintseva A.E.
Published: April 2021

—We consider the isotope-geochemical features of epithermal fluorite deposits in Transbaikalia, including the REE compositions, Sr isotope ratios, Sm–Nd systems, and isotope compositions of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios in fluorites are within 0.706–0.708, and the εNd values are negative. Oxygen in quartz, the main mineral of the deposits, has a light isotope composition (δ18O = –3.4 to +2.6‰), and the calculated isotope composition of oxygen in the fluid in equilibrium with quartz (δ18O = –9 to –16‰) indicates the presence of meteoric water. The latter is confirmed by analysis of the isotope compositions of oxygen and hydrogen in gas–liquid inclusions in fluorites from three deposits. These isotope compositions are due to recycling caused by the impact of shallow basic plutons. The isotope composition of sulfur indicates its deep source. During ascent, sulfur became enriched in its light isotope (δ34S = –1.8 to –7.7‰). We assess the association of fluorite ores with basaltoids widespread in the study area. The isotope and geochemical parameters suggest their spatial proximity. Probably, the basaltoids were responsible for the recycling of meteoric water. It is shown that the epithermal fluorite deposits formed by the same mechanism as fissure–vein thermal waters in western Transbaikalia.
Multistage Thrust and Nappe Tectonics in the Southeastern Part of East Sayan and Its Role in the Formation of Large Gold Deposits
Authors: Gordienko I.V. , Dobretsov N.L. , Zhmodik S.M. , Roshchektaev P.A.
Published: April 2021

––Comprehensive studies of structural geology and metallogeny, taking into account the authors’ previous works started as early as the last century, have shown that the southeastern part of East Sayan formed mainly in the Neoproterozoic–early Paleozoic in the settings of multistage thrust and nappe tectonics and tectonomagmatic restructuring of autochthonous and overthrust allochthonous oceanic (ophiolitic), island arc, and ocean-marginal terranes as well as amalgamation of accretion–collision and postcollisional igneous complexes that formed during the opening and subsequent closure of the Paleoasian Ocean marginal structures. In the middle and late Paleozoic, active intraplate volcanic and plutonic processes continued in the thrust/overthrust fault setting, which led to the formation of new dome-shaped nappe structures and the redistribution of ore matter (gold etc.) in large mineral deposits. The final structure of the East Sayan region formed during the late Cenozoic as a result of mountain uplifting and volcanic eruptions, including those in the valley of the Zhombolok River.
Simultaneous Hydraulic Fracturing Improves Completion Efficiency and Lowers Costs Per Foot
Authors: Russell David , Stark Price , Owens Sean , Navaiz Awais , Lockman Russell
Published: April 2021

Reducing well costs in unconventional development while maintaining or improving production continues to be important to the success of operators. Generally, the primary drivers for oil and gas production are treatment fluid volume, proppant mass, and the number of stages or intervals along the well. Increasing these variables typically results in increased costs, causing additional time and complexity to complete these larger designs. Simultaneously completing two wells using the same volumes, rates, and number of stages as for any previous single well, allows for more lateral length or volume completed per day.

This paper presents the necessary developments and outcomes of a completion technique utilizing a single hydraulic fracturing spread to simultaneously stimulate two or more horizontal wells. The goal of this technique is to increase operational efficiency, lower completion cost, and reduce the time from permitting a well to production of that well—without negatively impacting the primary drivers of well performance. To date this technique has been successfully performed in both the Bakken and Permian basins in more than 200 wells, proving its success can translate to other unconventional fields and operations.

Ultimately, over 200 wells were successfully completed simultaneously, resulting in a 45% increase in completion speed and significant decrease in completion costs, while still maintaining equivalent well performance. This type of simultaneous completion scenario continues to be implemented and improved upon to improve asset returns.
An Operators Investigation of Performance Drivers Using Diagnostics and Data Analytics
Authors: Klaassen Trevor , Haffener Jackson , Borell Jarret , Senters Chad
Published: April 2021

In multi-stage plug-and-perf horizontal well completions, there are a multitude of moving parts and variables to consider when evaluating performance drivers. Properly identifying performance drivers allows an operator to focus their efforts to maximize the rate of return of resource development. Typically, well-to-well comparisons are made to help identify performance drivers, but in many cases the differences are not clear. Identifying these drivers may require a better understanding of performance variability along a single lateral. Data analytics can help to identify performance drivers using existing data from development activities. In the case study below, multiple diagnostics are utilized to identify performance drivers.

A combination of completion diagnostics including oil and water tracers, stimulation data, reservoir data, 3D seismic, and borehole image logs were collected on a set of wells in the early appraisal phase of a field. Using oil tracers as the best indication of stage level performance along the laterals, data analytics is applied to uncover the relationships between the tracers and the numerous diagnostics.

After smoothing was applied to the dataset, trends between oil tracer recovery, several independent variables and features seen in image logs and 3D seismic were identified. All the analyses pointed to decreasing tracer recovery, and likely decreased oil production, near faulted areas along each lateral. A random forest model showed a moderate prediction power, where the model's predicted tracer recovery on blind stages was able to explain 54% of the variance seen in the tracer response (r2=0.54). This analysis suggests the identification of certain faulted areas along the wellbore could lead to ways of improving individual well economics by adjusting completion design in these areas.
Well Spacing and Stimulation Design Optimization in the Vaca Muerta Shale: Hydraulic Fracture Simulations on the Cloud
Authors: Malhotra Sahil , Lerza Alejandro , Cuervo Sergio
Published: April 2021

Well spacing and stimulation design are amongst the highest impact design variables which can dictate the economics of an unconventional development. The objective of this paper is to showcase a numerical simulation workflow, with emphasis on the hydraulic fracture simulation methodology, which optimizes well spacing and completion design simultaneously. The workflow is deployed using Cloud Computing functionality, a step-change over past simulation methods.

Workflow showcased in this paper covers the whole cycle of 1) petrophysical and geomechanical modeling, 2) hydraulic fracture simulations and 3) reservoir simulation modeling, followed by 4) design optimization using advanced non-linear methods. The focus of this paper is to discuss the hydraulic fracture simulation methods which are an integral part of this workflow. The workflow is deployed on a dataset from a multi-well pad completed in late 2018 targeting two landing zones in the Vaca Muerta shale play. On calibrated petrophysical and geomechanical model, hydraulic fracture simulations are conducted to map the stimulated rock around the wellbores. Finely gridded base model is utilized to capture the property variation between layers to estimate fracture height. The 3d discrete fracture network (DFN) built for the acreage is utilized to pick the natural fracture characteristics of the layers intersected by the wellbores. The methodology highlights advances over the past modeling approaches by including the variation of discrete fracture network between layers. The hydraulic fracture model in conjunction with reservoir flow simulation is used for history matching the production data.

On the history matched model, a design of experiments (DOE) simulation study is conducted to quantify the impact of a wide range of well spacing and stimulation design variables. These simulations are facilitated by the recent deployments of cloud computing. Cloud computing allows parallel running of hundreds of hydraulic fracturing and reservoir simulations, thereby allowing testing of many combinations of stimulation deigns and well spacing and reducing the effective run time from 3 months on a local machine to 1 week on the cloud. Output from the parallel simulations are fitted with a proxy model to finally select the well spacing and stimulation design variables that offer the minimum unit development cost i.e. capital cost-$ per EUR-bbl. The workflow illustrates that stimulation design and well spacing are interlinked to each other and need to be optimized simultaneously to maximize the economics of an unconventional asset. Using the workflow, the team identified development designs which increase EUR of a development area by 50-100% and reduce the unit development cost ($/bbl-EUR) by 10-30%.