bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are meat options preferred to comparable vegetarian options? An experimental study
Authors: Pechey Rachel , Hollands Gareth J. , Marteau Theresa M.
Published: January 2021

Objective

Reducing meat consumption would have substantial benefits both in terms of health and environmental impact, but meat options may be more attractive to customers than meat-free options. This study tested this by presenting UK adults (n = 540) with a series of pictures showing two meal options and asking them to select which they would prefer to eat right now. They completed this task for every possible pair from a pool of six comparator meat-based options and six target options (66 pairs). Participants all saw identical comparator options, and were randomised to see the same pictures of target options but with descriptions that suggested they were either meat-based or vegetarian.

Results

Selections were used to rank the options for each individual from 1 (most-selected) to 12 (least-selected). Vegetarian target options were ranked worse [by 1.23 places (95% CI: 1.02, 1.44)] than meat target options. Higher self-reported consumption of meat predicted worse mean rankings of target options when these were vegetarian, but not when target options were meat-based. This suggests meat options are preferred to equivalent vegetarian options and may be more likely to be selected. This has implications for interventions aiming to reduce meat consumption to make diets healthier and more sustainable.
Akt signaling is activated by TGFβ2 and impacts tenogenic induction of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Theodossiou Sophia K. , Murray Jett B. , Hold LeeAnn A. , Courtright Jeff M. , Carper Anne M. , Schiele Nathan R.
Published: January 2021

Background

Tissue engineered and regenerative approaches for treating tendon injuries are challenged by the limited information on the cellular signaling pathways driving tenogenic differentiation of stem cells. Members of the transforming growth factor (TGF) β family, particularly TGFβ2, play a role in tenogenesis, which may proceed via Smad-mediated signaling. However, recent evidence suggests some aspects of tenogenesis may be independent of Smad signaling, and other pathways potentially involved in tenogenesis are understudied. Here, we examined the role of Akt/mTORC1/P70S6K signaling in early TGFβ2-induced tenogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and evaluated TGFβ2-induced tenogenic differentiation when Smad3 is inhibited.

Methods

Mouse MSCs were treated with TGFβ2 to induce tenogenesis, and Akt or Smad3 signaling was chemically inhibited using the Akt inhibitor, MK-2206, or the Smad3 inhibitor, SIS3. Effects of TGFβ2 alone and in combination with these inhibitors on the activation of Akt signaling and its downstream targets mTOR and P70S6K were quantified using western blot analysis, and cell morphology was assessed using confocal microscopy. Levels of the tendon marker protein, tenomodulin, were also assessed.

Results

TGFβ2 alone activated Akt signaling during early tenogenic induction. Chemically inhibiting Akt prevented increases in tenomodulin and attenuated tenogenic morphology of the MSCs in response to TGFβ2. Chemically inhibiting Smad3 did not prevent tenogenesis, but appeared to accelerate it. MSCs treated with both TGFβ2 and SIS3 produced significantly higher levels of tenomodulin at 7 days and morphology appeared tenogenic, with localized cell alignment and elongation. Finally, inhibiting Smad3 did not appear to impact Akt signaling, suggesting that Akt may allow TGFβ2-induced tenogenesis to proceed during disruption of Smad3 signaling.

Conclusions

These findings show that Akt signaling plays a role in TGFβ2-induced tenogenesis and that tenogenesis of MSCs can be initiated by TGFβ2 during disruption of Smad3 signaling. These findings provide new insights into the signaling pathways that regulate tenogenic induction in stem cells.
Dobutamine-sparing versus dobutamine-to-all strategy in cardiac surgery: a randomized noninferiority trial
Authors: Franco Rafael Alves , de Almeida Juliano Pinheiro , Landoni Giovanni , Scheeren Thomas W. L. , Galas Filomena Regina Barbosa Gomes , Fukushima Julia Tizue , Zefferino Suely , Nardelli Pasquale , de Albuquerque Piccioni Marilde , Arita Elisandra Cristina Trevisan Calvo , Park Clarice Hyesuk Lee , Cunha Ligia Cristina Camara , de Oliveira Gisele Queiroz , Costa Isabela Bispo Santos da Silva , Kalil Filho Roberto , Jatene Fabio Biscegli , Hajjar Ludhmila Abrahão
Published: January 2021

Background

The detrimental effects of inotropes are well-known, and in many fields they are only used within a goal-directed therapy approach. Nevertheless, standard management in many centers includes administering inotropes to all patients undergoing cardiac surgery to prevent low cardiac output syndrome and its implications. Randomized evidence in favor of a patient-tailored, inotrope-sparing approach is still lacking. We designed a randomized controlled noninferiority trial in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with normal ejection fraction to assess whether an dobutamine-sparing strategy (in which the use of dobutamine was guided by hemodynamic evidence of low cardiac output associated with signs of inadequate tissue perfusion) was noninferior to an inotrope-to-all strategy (in which all patients received dobutamine).

Results

A total of 160 patients were randomized to the dobutamine-sparing strategy (80 patients) or to the dobutamine-to-all approach (80 patients). The primary composite endpoint of 30-day mortality or occurrence of major cardiovascular complications (arrhythmias, acute myocardial infarction, low cardiac output syndrome and stroke or transient ischemic attack) occurred in 25/80 (31%) patients of the dobutamine-sparing group (p = 0.74) and 27/80 (34%) of the dobutamine-to-all group. There were no significant differences between groups regarding the incidence of acute kidney injury, prolonged mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit or hospital length of stay.

Discussion

Although it is common practice in many centers to administer inotropes to all patients undergoing cardiac surgery, a dobutamine-sparing strategy did not result in an increase of mortality or occurrence of major cardiovascular events when compared to a dobutamine-to-all strategy. Further research is needed to assess if reducing the administration of inotropes can improve outcomes in cardiac surgery.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02361801. Registered Feb 2nd, 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02361801
An integrative counselling program to promote active ageing for older people in Thai nursing homes: an intervention mixed methods design
Authors: Juthavantana Jantana , Sakunpong Nanchatsan , Prasertsin Ujsara , Charupheng Monthira , Lau Sheibon Hassakama
Published: January 2021

Background

Active ageing has been a rapidly developing field of study in light of the growing population of older people. Acknowledgement of the lack of a counselling program to promote active ageing for the older people in nursing homes led to the development of this study which aims to investigate active ageing of the Thai elderly in a nursing home in addition to promoting active ageing for them through integrative counselling.

Methods

The study was conducted in a nursing home in Samut Prakan province, Thailand. The integrative counselling program referred to appropriate literature along with implementation of the Satir Model and Motivational Interviewing techniques. An intervention mixed methods design was applied in the study, which consisted of two phases. Phase 1 involved an investigation of the concept of active ageing, based on the context of older people in nursing homes by way of in-depth interviews, involving 5 participants. Phase 2 comprised of an investigation of the effects of an integrative counselling program to promote active ageing for older people in the same nursing home. There was a total of 16 participants in phase 2 which were divided equally into experimental and control groups respectively.

Results

Phase 1 of the study showcased qualitative results of the progress of active ageing development in older people that resulted in 4 sub-themes (Health development, spiritual development, active engagement and psychosocial support). Two parameters were used to analyze the results in phase 2. The quantitative results showed that the active ageing score of participants in the experimental arm increased significantly after enrollment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the experimental group had a higher overall active ageing score in comparison to the control group. Qualitative results of phase 2 elicited factors promoting active ageing in the elderly which included activities, group facilitator and group atmosphere. Both quantitative and qualitative results of phase 2 proved to be significant, showing that the program managed to develop active ageing in participants.

Conclusion

Psychologists and multidisciplinary teams looking after older people in nursing homes are able to use this integrative counselling program for development of active ageing in the elderly population.
CaReAl: capturing read alignments in a BAM file rapidly and conveniently
Authors: Park Yoomi , Seo Heewon , Yoo Kyunghun , Kim Ju Han
Published: January 2021

Some of the variants detected by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) are often not reproducible. To minimize the technical-induced artifacts, secondary experimental validation is required but this step is unnecessarily slow and expensive. Thus, developing a rapid and easy to use visualization tool is necessary to systematically review the statuses of sequence read alignments. Here, we developed a high-performance alignment capturing tool, CaReAl, for visualizing the read-alignment status of nucleotide sequences and associated genome features. CaReAl is optimized for the systematic exploration of regions of interest by visualizing full-depth read-alignment statuses in a set of PNG files. CaReAl was 7.5 times faster than IGV ‘snapshot’, the only stand-alone tool which provides an automated snapshot of sequence reads. This rapid user-programmable capturing tool is useful for obtaining read-level data for evaluating variant calls and detecting technical biases. The multithreading and sequential wide-genome-range-capturing functionalities of CaReAl aid the efficient manual review and evaluation of genome sequence alignments and variant calls. CaReAl is a rapid and convenient tool for capturing aligned reads in BAM. CaReAl facilitates the acquisition of highly curated data for obtaining reliable analytic results.
A survey on data‐efficient algorithms in big data era
Authors: Adadi Amina
Published: January 2021

The leading approaches in Machine Learning are notoriously data-hungry. Unfortunately, many application domains do not have access to big data because acquiring data involves a process that is expensive or time-consuming. This has triggered a serious debate in both the industrial and academic communities calling for more data-efficient models that harness the power of artificial learners while achieving good results with less training data and in particular less human supervision. In light of this debate, this work investigates the issue of algorithms’ data hungriness. First, it surveys the issue from different perspectives. Then, it presents a comprehensive review of existing data-efficient methods and systematizes them into four categories. Specifically, the survey covers solution strategies that handle data-efficiency by (i) using non-supervised algorithms that are, by nature, more data-efficient, by (ii) creating artificially more data, by (iii) transferring knowledge from rich-data domains into poor-data domains, or by (iv) altering data-hungry algorithms to reduce their dependency upon the amount of samples, in a way they can perform well in small samples regime. Each strategy is extensively reviewed and discussed. In addition, the emphasis is put on how the four strategies interplay with each other in order to motivate exploration of more robust and data-efficient algorithms. Finally, the survey delineates the limitations, discusses research challenges, and suggests future opportunities to advance the research on data-efficiency in machine learning.
Self-citation policies and journal self-citation rate among Critical Care Medicine journals
Authors: Sanfilippo Filippo , Tigano Stefano , Morgana Alberto , Murabito Paolo , Astuto Marinella
Published: January 2021

Background

Inappropriate authors’ self-citation (A-SC) is a growing mal-practice possibly boosted by the raising importance given to author’s metrics. Similarly, also excessive journals’ self-citation (J-SC) practice may factitiously influence journal’s metrics (impact factor, IF). Evaluating the appropriateness of each self-citation remains challenging.

Main body

We evaluated the presence of policies discouraging A-SC in Critical Care Medicine (CCM) journals with IF. We also calculated the J-SC rate of these journals. In order to evaluate if J-SC rates are influenced by the focus of interest of CCM journals, we separated them in three sub-categories (“multidisciplinary”, “broad” or “topic-specific” CCM journals).

We analyzed 35 CCM journals and only 5 (14.3%) discouraged excessive and inappropriate A-SC. The median IF was higher in CCM journals with A-SC policies [4.1 (3–12)] as compared to those without [2.5 (2–3.5); p = 0.02]. The J-SC rate was highly variable (0–35.4%), and not influenced by the presence of A-SC policies (p = 0.32). However, J-SC rate was different according to the focus of interest (p = 0.01): in particular, it was higher in “topic-specific” CCM journals [15.3 (8.8–23.3%)], followed by “broad” CCM [11.8 (4.8–17.9%)] and “multidisciplinary” journals [6.1 (3.6–9.1%)].

Conclusions

A limited number of CCM journals have policies for limiting A-SC, and these have higher IF. The J-SC rate among CCM journals is highly variable and higher in “topic-specific” interest CCM journals. Excluding self-referencing practice from scientific metrics calculation could be valuable to tackle this scientific malpractice.
Spatial–temporal properties of afterslip associated with the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel earthquake, Chile
Authors: Xiang Yunfei , Yue Jianping , Jiang Zhongshan , Xing Yin
Published: January 2021

In order to characterize the spatial–temporal properties of postseismic slip motions associated with the 2015 Illapel earthquake, the daily position time series of 13 GNSS sites situated at the near-field region are utilized. Firstly, a scheme of postseismic signal extraction and modeling is introduced, which can effectively extract the postseismic signal with consideration of background tectonic movement. Based on the extracted postseismic signal, the spatial–temporal distribution of afterslip is inverted under the layered medium model. Compared with coseismic slip distribution, the afterslip is extended to both deep and two sides, and two peak slip patches are formed on the north and south sides. The afterslip is mainly cumulated at the depth of 10–50 km, and the maximum slip reaches 1.46 m, which is situated at latitude of − 30.50°, longitude of − 71.78°, and depth of 18.94 m. Moreover, the postseismic slip during the time period of 0–30 days after this earthquake is the largest, and the maximum of fault slip and corresponding slip rate reaches 0.62 m and 20.6 mm/day. Whereas, the maximum of fault slip rate during the time period of 180–365 days is only around 1 mm/day. The spatial–temporal evolution of postseismic slip motions suggests that large postseismic slip mainly occurs in the early stage after this earthquake, and the fault tend to be stable as time goes on. Meanwhile, the Coulomb stress change demonstrate that the postseismic slip motions after the Illapel earthquake may be triggered by the stress increase in the deep region induced by coseismic rupture.
Evaluation of liquefaction potentials based on shear wave velocities in Pohang City, South Korea
Authors: Ji Yumin , Kim Byungmin , Kim Kiseog
Published: January 2021

This study evaluates the potentials of liquefaction caused by the 2017 moment magnitude 5.4 earthquake in Pohang City, South Korea. We obtain shear wave velocity profiles measured by suspension PS logging tests at the five sites near the epicenter. We also perform downhole tests at three of the five sites. Among the five sites, the surface manifestations (i.e., sand boils) were observed at the three sites, and not at the other two sites. The maximum accelerations on the ground surface at the five sites are estimated using the Next Generation Attenuation relationships for Western United State ground motion prediction equations. The shear wave velocity profiles from the two tests are slightly different, resulting in varying cyclic resistance ratios, factors of safety against liquefaction, and liquefaction potential indices. Nevertheless, we found that both test approaches can be used to evaluate liquefaction potentials. The liquefaction potential indices at the liquefied sites are approximately 1.5–13.9, whereas those at the non-liquefied sites are approximately 0–0.3.
Locally advanced cholangiolocellular carcinoma successfully treated with curative resection after downsizing chemotherapy: a case report
Authors: Hozaka Yuto , Kawasaki Yota , Iino Satoshi , Idichi Tetsuya , Hirase Yuki , Tanoue Kiyonori , Mataki Yuko , Kurahara Hiroshi , Maemura Kosei , Arigami Takaaki , Ueno Shinichi , Natsugoe Shoji , Ohtsuka Takao
Published: January 2021

Background

Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is an extremely rare disease comprising less than 1% of all primary malignant liver tumors. No effective treatment other than resection has been established. Herein, we report a case of locally advanced CoCC diagnosed as unresectable, which was successfully treated with curative resection after downsizing chemotherapy.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old Japanese woman with chronic hepatitis B was diagnosed with locally advanced intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. As it was difficult to perform R0 resection in the local hospital, chemotherapy combined with gemcitabine plus cisplatin was administered every 3 weeks. After a total of 10 courses of chemotherapy over 10 months the tumor was shown to be reduced in size by computed tomography imaging, and she was referred to our department for surgical resection. The effect of chemotherapy was classified as a “partial response” in the response evaluation criteria of solid tumors. After adding one course of chemotherapy, an extended left hepatectomy with resection of the caudate lobe was performed. R0 resection was achieved. Based on the pathological findings, the final diagnosis of CoCC was determined and eight courses of S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy were administered. At 14 months after the operation, the patient was alive without tumor recurrence.

Conclusions

Downsizing chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin may be an effective treatment strategy in locally advanced CoCC. Further evidence is required to establish an optimal strategy for the treatment of locally advanced CoCC.
3D printing PCL/nHA bone scaffolds: exploring the influence of material synthesis techniques
Authors: Zimmerling Amanda , Yazdanpanah Zahra , Cooper David M. L. , Johnston James D. , Chen Xiongbiao
Published: January 2021

Background

It is known that a number of parameters can influence the post-printing properties of bone tissue scaffolds. Previous research has primarily focused on the effect of parameters associated with scaffold design (e.g., scaffold porosity) and specific scaffold printing processes (e.g., printing pressure). To our knowledge, no studies have investigated variations in post-printing properties attributed to the techniques used to synthesize the materials for printing (e.g., melt-blending, powder blending, liquid solvent, and solid solvent).

Methods

Four material preparation techniques were investigated to determine their influence on scaffold properties. Polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite 30% (wt.) materials were synthesized through melt-blending, powder blending, liquid solvent, and solid solvent techniques. The material printability and the properties of printed scaffolds, in terms of swelling/degradation, mechanical strength, morphology, and thermal properties, were examined and compared to one another using Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric statistical analysis.

Results

Material prepared through the liquid solvent technique was found to have limited printability, while melt-blended material demonstrated the highest degree of uniformity and lowest extent of swelling and degradation. Scaffolds prepared with powder-blended material demonstrated the highest Young’s modulus, yield strength, and modulus of resilience; however, they also demonstrated the highest degree of variability. The higher degree of inhomogeneity in the material was further supported by thermal gravimetric analysis. While scaffolds printed from melt-blended, powder-blended, and solid solvent materials demonstrated a high degree of micro-porosity, the liquid solvent material preparation technique resulted in minimal micro-porosity.

Conclusions

Study results indicate that specific techniques used to prepare materials influence the printing process and post-printing scaffold properties. Among the four techniques examined, melt-blended materials were found to be the most favorable, specifically when considering the combination of printability, consistent mechanical properties, and efficient preparation. Techniques determined to be favourable based on the properties investigated should undergo further studies related to biological properties and time-dependent properties beyond 21-days.
A reconstruction of the recent fire regimes of Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi, using remote sensing
Authors: Nieman Willem A. , van Wilgen Brian W. , Leslie Alison J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Fire is an important process that shapes the structure and functioning of African savanna ecosystems, and managers of savanna protected areas use fire to achieve ecosystem goals. Developing appropriate fire management policies should be based on an understanding of the determinants, features, and effects of prevailing fire regimes, but this information is rarely available. In this study, we report on the use of remote sensing to develop a spatially explicit dataset on past fire regimes in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi, between 2001 and 2019. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) images were used to evaluate the recent fire regime for two distinct vegetation types in Majete Wildlife Reserve, namely savanna and miombo. Additionally, a comparison was made between MODIS and Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) images by separately evaluating selected aspects of the fire regime between 2012 and 2019.

Results

Mean fire return intervals were four and six years for miombo and savanna vegetation, respectively, but the distribution of fire return intervals was skewed, with a large proportion of the area burning annually or biennially, and a smaller proportion experiencing much longer fire return intervals. Variation in inter-annual rainfall also resulted in longer fire return intervals during cycles of below-average rainfall. Fires were concentrated in the hot-dry season despite a management intent to restrict burning to the cool-dry season. Mean fire intensities were generally low, but many individual fires had intensities of 14 to 18 times higher than the mean, especially in the hot-dry season. The VIIRS sensors detected many fires that were overlooked by the MODIS sensors, as images were collected at a finer scale.

Conclusions

Remote sensing has provided a useful basis for reconstructing the recent fire regime of Majete Wildlife Reserve, and has highlighted a current mismatch between intended fire management goals and actual trends. Managers should re-evaluate fire policies based on our findings, setting clearly defined targets for the different vegetation types and introducing flexibility to accommodate natural variation in rainfall cycles. Local evidence of the links between fires and ecological outcomes will require further research to improve fire planning.
Exploring a pathway towards energy conservation through emphasizing the connections between energy, systems, and fields
Authors: Kubsch Marcus , Opitz Sebastian , Nordine Jeffrey , Neumann Knut , Fortus David , Krajcik Joseph
Published: January 2021

Energy conservation is a fundamental concept in physics and across the sciences as it provides a lens for investigating a wide range of phenomena. Research into energy learning progressions has shown that a majority of students across K-12 struggle with energy conservation. These studies characterize students’ learning progressions as starting from energy being manifest in different forms. Research suggests that learning progressions that begin with the idea of forms only lead to an understanding of conservation for a minority of students. Thus, the question arises whether there are alternative, more productive pathways towards conservation than going through forms. We investigated to what extent students progress towards conservation if they are taught in a transfer-only approach to teaching energy that does not require forms. Drawing on interviews from N = 30 students across different time points in a 10 week transfer-only unit, we found that at the end of the unit, most students tracked energy successfully across systems, and did not violate energy conservations when explaining phenomena, that is, progressed towards a qualitative understanding of conservation. Our results imply that energy learning progressions do not have to go through forms and in fact a more productive pathway towards conservation may exist in the transfer-only approach.
Effect of COVID-19 stressors on healthcare workers’ performance and attitude at Suez Canal university hospitals
Authors: Elbqry Mohammed Goda , Elmansy Fatma Mohmed , Elsayed Abeer Ezzat , Mansour Bassam , Tantawy Ashraf , Eldin Maged Bahi , Sayed Haydy Hassan
Published: January 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus effect on 10-20% of total healthcare workers and was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. This study was designed to assess effect of COVID-19 stressors on healthcare workers’ performance and attitude. A descriptive cross sectional research design was used. A convenient sample (all available healthcare workers) physicians “112,”, nurses “183,” pharmacists “31,” and laboratory technicians “38” was participated to conduct aim of the study. Utilize the study with two tools; online self-administrated questionnaire to assess level of knowledge, attitude, and infection control measures regarding coronavirus disease 2019 and COVID-19 stress scales to assess the varied stressors among healthcare workers.

Results

More than three quarter of the studied participants had satisfactory level of knowledge and infection control measures. Approximately all of the studied participants had positive attitude regarding COVID-19. A total of 57.4% of the studied medical participants had moderate COVID-19 psychological stress levels, while 49.1% of the studied paramedical participants had moderate COVID-19 psychological stress levels. But less than one quarter had severe COVID-19 psychological stress levels. There is a significant correlation between COVID-19 psychological stressor levels and satisfactory level of knowledge among medical participants.

Conclusion/implications for practice

Most of healthcare workers had satisfactory level of knowledge, infection control measures, and positive attitude regarding COVID-19. Most of them had moderate COVID-19 psychological stress levels.
Casting a Health Equity Lens on Endocrinology and Diabetes
Authors: Golden Sherita Hill , Joseph Joshua J , Hill-Briggs Felicia
Published: January 2021

As endocrinologists we have focused on biological contributors to disparities in diabetes, obesity and other endocrine disorders. Given that diabetes is an exemplar health disparity condition, we, as a specialty, are also positioned to view the contributing factors and solutions more broadly. This will give us agency in contributing to health system, public health, and policy-level interventions to address the structural and institutional racism embedded in our medical and social systems. A history of unconsented medical and research experimentation on vulnerable groups and perpetuation of eugenics theory in the early 20th century have resulted in residual health care provider biases toward minority patients and patient distrust of medical systems, leading to poor quality of care. Historical discriminatory housing and lending policies resulted in racial residential segregation and neighborhoods with inadequate housing, healthy food access, and educational resources, setting the foundation for the social determinants of health (SDOH) contributing to present-day disparities. To reduce these disparities we need to ensure our health systems are implementing the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care to promote health equity. Because of racial biases inherent in our medical systems due to historical unethical practices in minority communities, health care provider training should incorporate awareness of unconscious bias, antiracism, and the value of diversity. Finally, we must also address poverty-related SDOH (eg, food and housing insecurity) by integrating social needs into medical care and using our voices to advocate for social policies that redress SDOH and restore environmental justice.
Paternalism and the Public Household
Authors: Desmarais-Tremblay Maxime
Published: January 2021

The ancient Greek conception of oikonomia is often dismissed as irrelevant for making sense of the contemporary economic world. In this paper, I emphasize a thread that runs through the history of economic thought connecting the oikos to modern public economics. By conceptualizing the public economy as a public household, Richard A. Musgrave (1910–2007) set foot in a long tradition of analogy between the practically oriented household and the state.

Despite continuous references to the domestic model by major economists throughout the centuries, the analogy has clashed with liberal values associated with the public sphere since the eighteenth century. Musgrave’s conceptualization of public expenditures represents one episode of this continuing tension. His defense of merit goods, in particular, was rejected by many American economists in the 1960s because it was perceived as a paternalistic intervention by the state. I suggest that the accusation of paternalism should not come as a surprise once the “domestic” elements in Musgrave’s conceptualization of the public sector are highlighted. I develop three points of the analogy in Musgrave’s public household which echo recurring patterns of thought about the state.
Kenneth Boulding’s Visual Imagination
Authors: Fontaine Philippe
Published: January 2021

The merits of visual images in conveying truths about the social world is widely recognized in social science, but some commentators have suggested the possible inadequacies of postwar economics on that score. Unimpressed by the omnipresence of diagrams in economics, they note that these are not images in the sense that maps are. The story of Boulding, an admirer of maps and strong believer in visual reasoning, who moved away from economics to become a general social scientist in the late 1940s, seems to confirm the above assessment. Yet, the difference between economists and other social scientists does not so much reside in the absence of images in economics—some diagrams in economics are maps—as in their declining role in postwar economic modeling. In that respect, the story of Boulding, his lack of influence on economics and his increased recognition among other social sciences testify to the gradual backsliding of visual imagination in postwar economics. If many today recognize the usefulness of diagrams for the dissemination of economic knowledge, only a few are aware that preceding the attempts to make these diagrams intelligible to their users, a real effort of visual imagination was required for their creators to ensure their explanatory power.
Commentary: Global Comparisons of Physician Associations
Authors: Laugesen Miriam J. , Gusmano Michael K.
Published: January 2021

The authors reflect on their own work in relation to the articles in this special section on physician organizations, and they make four observations. First, association-government power relations shift after countries introduce universal health insurance, but they are by no means diminished. In France, Germany, and Japan, physicians' economic interests are explicitly considered against broader health system goals, such as providing affordable universal insurance. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), physician organizations do not share power in the same way. Second, in higher-income countries, fragmentation may occur along specialty or generalist lines, and some physicians are unionized. Generally speaking, physician influence over reimbursement policy is reduced because of organizational fragmentation. Third, associations develop as legitimate voices for physicians, but their relationship to other professions differs in higher-income countries. Associations in LMICs form coalitions with other health professionals. Finally, although German state physician associations have a key implementation role, in most countries, state and federal policy roles seem relatively defined. Global comparison of the LMICs and other countries suggests power, unity, legitimacy, and federal roles are tied closely to the stage of health system development.
Tutores na educação superior: o que a análise crítica do discurso revela sobre o sentido do trabalho?
Authors: Irigaray Hélio Artur Reis , Neves Yviana
Published: January 2021

O objetivo desta pesquisa é investigar o sentido do trabalho para os profissionais que atuam em atividades de tutoria em EAD, dentro de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior privada. Para tal, entrevistamos presencialmente ou via Skype, 36 tutores que atuam nestes cursos. Ao longo de todo o percurso metodológico – desde a concepção do objeto, durante a entrada, trabalho e saída de campo – fizemos anotações sobre nossas expectativas, impressões, ambientação da entrevista, gestos e alterações da fisionomia de cada entrevistado. Posteriormente, as entrevistas foram transcritas e submetidas à análise crítica do discurso, da qual apreendemos 3 categorias: “tutoria como prática social”, “a prática discursiva dos tutores” e, finalmente, “a prática textual dos tutores”. No sentido de aprofundarmos esta terceira categoria, conduzimos uma análise lexicométrica, na qual diagnosticamos o uso intensivo de 17 verbos, os quais sugeriam a existência de três subcategorias lexicais: “a mercantilização da docência”, “a instrumentalização do trabalho de tutor” e, por fim, “o chamado acadêmico”. No limite, verificamos que a tutoria não é a primeira e nem a única opção de carreira dos tutores, os quais se sentem desvalorizados, mal remunerados, mas que percebem nesta função a oportunidade de atuarem em outros cursos da instituição e de serem reconhecidos como empregados dela.
Dysplasia, malformation, or deformity? - explanation of the basis of hip development disorders and suggestions for future diagnostics and treatment
Authors: Dygut Jacek , Piwowar Monika
Published: January 2021

This publication focuses on processes that disrupt the proper development of the hip. Four pathomechanisms underlying human developmental defects are described in the literature, i.e. dysplasia, malformation, disruption, and deformity. In the case of hip development, arguably the greatest challenge involves confusion between dysplasia and deformity, which often leads to misdiagnosis, incorrect nomenclature, and incorrectly chosen treatment.

The paper presents a description of hip joint development disorders in the context of their pathomechanisms. An attempt was made to answer the question of whether these disorders are rooted in a primary disorder of tissue growth, resulting in its incorrect anatomy, or are the result of anatomical deformation with secondary modifications in tissue structures of a degenerative or adaptive nature, based on Deplesch-Heuter-Volkmann growth and remodeling laws. In addition, the emphasis is placed on attention to the presence of the so-called clinically and diagnostically mute cases. The need to augment diagnostic procedures with genetic tests to increase the sensitivity of screening has also been suggested. Based on the arguments presented in the paper, a new division of developmental hip disorders has been proposed.
Neck circumference in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Espinoza López Patricia A. , Fernández Landeo Kelly Jéssica , Pérez Silva Mercado Rodrigo Ricardo , Quiñones Ardela Jesús José , Carrillo-Larco Rodrigo M.
Published: January 2021

Background: High neck circumference (NC) is associated with high burden diseases in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC). NC complements established anthropometric measurements for early identification of cardio-metabolic and other illnesses. However, evidence about NC has not been systematically studied in LAC. We aimed to estimate the mean NC and the prevalence of high NC in LAC.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review in MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and LILACS. Search results were screened and studied by two reviewers independently. To assess risk of bias of individual studies, we used the Hoy et al. scale and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results: In total, 182 abstracts were screened, 96 manuscripts were reviewed and 85 studies (n= 51,978) were summarized. From all the summarized studies, 14 were conducted in a sample of the general population, 23 were conducted with captive populations and 49 studies were conducted with patients. The pooled mean NC in the general population was 35.69 cm (95% IC: 34.85cm-36.53cm; I²: 99.6%). In our patient populations, the pooled mean NC in the obesity group was 42.56cm (95% CI 41.70cm-43.42cm; I²: 92.40%). Across all studied populations, there were several definitions of high NC; thus, prevalence estimates were not comparable. The prevalence of high NC ranged between 37.00% and 57.69% in the general population. The methodology to measure NC was not consistently reported.

Conclusions: Mean NC in LAC appears to be in the range of estimates from other world regions. Inconsistent methods and definitions hamper cross-country comparisons and time trend analyses. There is a need for consistent and comparable definitions of NC so that it can be incorporated as a standard anthropometric indicator in surveys and epidemiological studies.
SOURCES OF VALUABLE TRAITS FOR BREEDING SPRING SOFT WHEAT IN THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION
Authors: Demina Elena , Kincharov Aleksandr , Taranova Tat'yana , Mullayanova Ol'ga , Chekmasova Kristina
Published: January 2021

The work was carried out in 2018-2019 in the forest-steppe zone of Samara region. The purpose of the research is to conduct study samples of collection nursery of various ecological and geographical origins and identify new sources of economically valuable traits for breeding in the forest – steppe of the Middle Volga region. The material for research was 352 collection samples of spring soft wheat, including 108 foreign varieties and hybrids and 244 domestic samples of breeding institutions of the Russian Federation. Meteorological conditions during the research years were quite severe, and vegetation took place in arid and acutely arid conditions (hydrothermal coefficient in 2018 – 0.51, in 2019 – 0.48, with a long-term value in the region of 0.73). The greatest variability over the years of research was observed in the indicators of grain yield of samples (Сv=23.9...27.5 %) and plants height (Сv=10.8...12.9 %). According to the research results, 30 new genetic sources of economically valuable traits of spring soft wheat were identified. Sources of precocity (period of shoots-earing 35...37 days): Uralskaya kukushka, Chelyaba rannyaya, Tyumenskaya 25, Lutescens 70, Odeta, Libertina, Chi Mai, Long Fu 7, M83-1551. Sources of short stems (plants height 40...45 cm): KWS Torridon, KWS Jetstream, Florens, Eleganza, Long Fu 13. Sources of consistently high productivity (grain yield 415...554 g/m2, and the yield increase over the standard 71...210 g/m2): Erythrospermum 4089, Grekum 5523, Lutescens 6029, Lutescens 6074/6-23, Lutescens 6102/1-32, Lutescens 6102/1-34 Erythrospermum 6517/24-1, Ekada 214, Burlak, Ulyanovskaya 105, Lebedushka, Saratovskaya 73. Sources of high protein content (15.4...16.7 %) and gluten (36.0...42.0 %) in grain: Erythrospermum 3898, Erythrospermum 4112, Erythrospermum 4171, Erythrospermum 5289
METHODS FOR INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE APPLICATION OF BIOLOGICAL PESTICIDES IN CROP MANAGEMENT
Authors: Agieva Guzel' , Nizhegorodtseva Lyubov , Diabankana Roderik Zhil' Klare , Abramova Arina , Safin Radik , Hismatullin Mars
Published: January 2021

The use of biological pesticides for protecting plants from various infectious diseases and controlling abiotic stresses is becoming increasingly widespread in various agricultural crops. However, the effectiveness of biological plant protection is strongly dependent on various factors, in particular on weather conditions. To increase the impact of the use of biological products in plant protection against diseases, it is necessary to search for new approaches.

One of the ways to increase the return on the use of biological products is the use of special adaptogens that increase the resistance of biological agents of biopesticides to the negative influence of the external environment. The Kazan State Agrarian University developed an adaptogen for bioagents of biological products based on alcohol extracts of millet. In 2019, on spring barley, the use of their mixtures with an adaptogen when spraying with biological products made it possible to increase the yield per 1,75 t / ha in comparison with the control and per 0,36 t / ha when using only biological products. At the same time, the effectiveness of control of the main leaf mycoses increased

In 2020, studies were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of biological products with the addition of the silicon-containing mineral diatomite when spraying barley plants. It has been established that the use of such formulations makes it possible to increase the productivity of plants, enhance the effectiveness of pathogen control in comparison with a standard biofungicide
BREEDING OF CREEPING CLOVER IN THE FOREST-STEPPE CONDITIONS OF THE MIDDLE VOLGA REGION
Authors: Timoshkina Ol'ga , Timoshkin Oleg
Published: January 2021

The article presents the data of assessing the productivity and nutritional value of selection samples of creeping clover in the nursery of the competitive variety testing of 2016 sowing for three years of use. The purpose of the research is to identify a promising breeding material of creeping clover for creating a variety with high productivity of green mass and seeds, suitable for mechanized harvesting of seeds for the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Middle Volga region. The research was carried out in 2017-2019 on the experimental field of a separate subdivision of Penza FGBSI FSC of BC in accordance with the methodological instructions for the selection of perennial grasses. On average over three years of use in terms of the yield of green mass – 15.00-16.44 t/ha, cultivar samples of creeping clover V-92, Yu-90, P-97, Pl-90-4 significantly exceeded the VIK-70 standard (14,01 t/ha) by 7.1-17.3%, for the collection of dry matter – 3.49-3.97 t/ha varieties V-92, Yu-90, P-97 and Pl-90-3 reliably exceeded the standard (3.29 t/ha) by 6.1-20.7%, in the collection of digestible protein – 0.44-0.49 t/ha, the varieties B-92 and P-97 exceeded the standard (0, 40 t/ha) by 10.0-22.5%. Maximum values of the yield of green mass (16.44 t/ha), dry matter collection (3.97 t/ha), digestible protein (0.49 t/ha), feed units (5.04 t/ha) and exchange energy (49.12 GJ/ha) on average for the years of testing showed the sample P-97. This specimen significantly exceeded the standard in terms of structural elements and seed yield by 50.5%, in the height of leaf petioles by 3.5% and peduncles by 2.5%, which is important for mechanized harvesting of seeds. When selecting for the productivity of creeping clover, one should pay attention to the signs associated with the yield of green mass and seeds. The length of leaf petioles correlates with the length of peduncles (r = 0.78), the number of seeds in the head (r = 0.46), the number of inflorescences in the head (r = 0.47), with the collection of dry matter (r = 0.31). The length of the peduncles correlates with the collection of dry matter (r = 0.30), with the number of inflorescences in the head (r = 0.54), and with the number of seeds in the head (r = 0.51). The number of inflorescences in the head correlates with the number of seeds in the head (r = 0.61) and with the yield of seeds (r = 0.31)
La Alteridad en el Pensamiento Descolonial de Enrique Dussel.
Authors: Sanchez Esteban-Gabriel
Published: January 2021

Latin American decolonialism has a prominent place in current criticism of Eurocentrism in the social sciences and humanities. This paper raises the problem of alterity in the decolonial thinking of Enrique Dussel through the hermeneutical exegesis of three main categories: exteriority, living work and victim. The purpose of this research is to determine the continuities and discontinuities of this problem in the theoretical work of the ArgentineMexican philosopher. As our theoreticalmethodological framework, we consider the notions of the de-colonial attitude and the Latin American hermeneuticphilosophical approach to liberation. In the conclusions, we show that the concept of alterity appears in Dussel’s early work associated with Levinasian ethical language. Later, a shift towards an economic-material reflection is evidenced in his mature work as a means to historically understand the oppression and exclusion of peripheral countries.
El Turismo en el Espacio Andino: Colonialismo, Simulacro y Memoria.
Authors: Anta-Felez Jose-Luis
Published: January 2021

The Andean world is underexploited for tourism due to both the lack of infrastructure and the lack of its development as a product. Still, tourism exists and is, in some places, overwhelming. As such, it establishes itself in a double market game: 1) it offers hotel infrastructures and tours that are clearly a product for foreign tourists, and 2) it recreates a whole discourse on heritage. The Andean tourism market has three self-contained aspects, which address 1) the indigenous world, either the historical or the present, although without confusing them or making a connection between them, 2) the colonial world, and 3) a high quality natural environment. This work, based on a critical decolonial view and ethnography developed from field work, analyzes the game between discourse and social practice from the point of view of both visitors and locals, thereby recreating some of its paradoxes and contradictions. This analysis, obviously from a decolonial and political view, attempts to recover the epistemology of the south.