bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary Design Teams Translating Ethnographic Field Data Into Design Models
Authors: Paay Jeni , Sterling Leon , Pedell Sonja , Vetere Frank , Howard Steve
Published: August 2020

Translating ethnographic field data to engineering requirements and design models suitable for implementing socio-technical systems is problematic. Ethnographic field data is often “messy” and unstructured, while requirements models are organized and systematic. Cooperation and communication within an interdisciplinary design team makes the process even more complicated. A shared understanding between ethnographers, interaction designers, and software engineers is vital to ensure that complex and subtle social interactions present in the data are considered in the final system design. One solution for supporting team conversations uses the quality goal construct as a container for complex and ambiguous interaction attributes. Quality goals in system modelling promote shared understandings and collaborative design solutions by retaining a high level of abstraction for as long as possible during the design process. This chapter illustrates the effectiveness of abstract goals for conveying complex and ambiguous information in the design of a socio-technical system supporting social interaction between couples.
Fractal Coding Based Video Compression Using Weighted Finite Automata
Authors: Kamble Shailesh D. , Thakur Nileshsingh V. , Bajaj Preeti R.
Published: August 2020

Main objective of the proposed work is to develop an approach for video coding based on Fractal coding using the weighted finite automata (WFA). The proposed work only focuses on reducing the encoding time as this is the basic limitation why the Fractal coding not becomes the practical reality. WFA is used for the coding as it behaves like the Fractal Coding (FC). WFA represents an image based on the idea of fractal that the image has self-similarity in itself. The plane WFA (applied on every frame), and Plane FC (applied on every frame) coding approaches are compared with each other. The experimentations are carried out on the standard uncompressed video databases, namely, Traffic, Paris, Bus, Akiyo, Mobile, Suzie etc. and on the recorded video, namely, Geometry and Circle. Developed approaches are compared on the basis of performance evaluation parameters, namely, encoding time, decoding time, compression ratio, compression percentage, bits per pixel and Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR). Though the initial number of states is 256 for every frame of all the types of videos, but we got the different number of states for different frames and it is quite obvious due to minimality of constructed WFA for respective frame. Based on the obtained results, it is observed that the number of states is more in videos namely, Traffic, Bus, Paris, Mobile, and Akiyo, therefore the reconstructed video quality is good in comparison with other videos namely, Circle, Suzie, and Geometry.
ERP Selection using an AHP-based Decision Support System
Authors: Cruz-Cunha Maria Manuela , Silva Joaquim P. , Gonçalves Joaquim José , Fernandes José António , Ávila Paulo Silva
Published: August 2020

Selecting the best desirable Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system has been a critical problem for organizations for a long time, as the failure on the selection process may have a highly negative impact in terms of costs and market share of a company. It is one of the most important decision making issues covering both qualitative and quantitative factors for organization. Multiple-criteria decision-making has been proved to be a useful approach to analyze these conflicting qualitative and quantitative factors. Literature offers proposals and approaches to handle this kind of problem; Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) has been applied successfully in most cases of software packages selection problems. This paper proposes an AHP model for the selection of an ERP system. The model's set of criteria was extracted from the literature review and validated by Portuguese organizations. This model can be applied in the ERP system selection using a software application that is under development. This software application eases the application of the AHP process to the selection of ERP packages and will provide input from real-world cases that will allow updating and refining the model.
Systems Engineering Concepts with Aid of Virtual Worlds and Open Source Software
Authors: Davis Latina , Dawson Maurice , Omar Marwan
Published: August 2020

Technology is changing the landscape of learning and teaching in America. The use of virtual worlds enable engineering and technology programs to implement software programs such as Second Life and Open Simulator to enhance what they may currently already have. Additionally, virtual worlds can add a more dynamic environment in the online classroom for multiple platforms such as the Personal Computer (PC), wearables, and mobile devices. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a review of these programs to include how to implement these items into an engineering course. Further detailed in this submission is how to incorporate Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) documentation and other engineering guidelines into the projects. Included in this chapter is a detailed layout of a simulated environment as well as various approaches of structuring and organization for classroom activities.
Fitting Security into Agile Software Development
Authors: Rindell Kalle , Hyrynsalmi Sami , Leppänen Ville
Published: August 2020

Security objectives in software development are increasingly convergent with the business objectives, as requirements for privacy and the cost of security incidents call for more dependable software products. The development of secure software is accomplished by augmenting the software development process with specific security engineering activities. Security engineering, in contrast to the iterative and incremental software development processes, is characterized by sequential life cycle models: the security objectives are thus to be achieved by conflicting approaches. In this study, to identify the incompatibilities between the approaches, the security engineering activities from Microsoft SDL, the ISO Common Criteria and OWASP SAMM security engineering models are mapped into common agile software development processes, practices and artifacts.
Analytical Study on Bug Triaging Practices
Authors: Goyal Anjali , Sardana Neetu
Published: August 2020

Software bugs are inevitable and fixing these bugs is a difficult and time consuming task. Bug report assignment is the activity of designating a developer who makes source code changes in order to fix the bug. Many bug assignment techniques have been proposed in the existing studies. These studies use different datasets, varied input and evaluation parameters to validate their work. This diversification in bug triaging results in perplexity among researchers. Hence, this paper organizes the work performed in bug triaging in a structured manner. This paper aims to present current state of the art to provide a structured consolidation of bug triaging approaches. The paper has identified six research questions under five dimensions to address the various aspects of bug triaging. 60 articles from 36 venues have been reviewed and categorized in order to organize and substructure existing work in the field of bug report assignment. This study will help researchers to wisely decide the weapons for bug triaging. Also, it will act as a ready reference for the bug triaging practitioners.
Establishing Academic-Industry Partnerships
Authors: Lancaster Amber L. , Yeats Dave
Published: August 2020

Emphasizing a transdisciplinary research model for distributed usability testing, this article offers a case study for establishing successful academic-industry partnerships. The authors describe the collaboration process between the co-investigators in this partnership: the UX researchers, the user participants, and the stakeholders at the industry company. The authors explain how they used the transdisciplinary research model to write a winning proposal for collaboration and then highlight how the benefits of a transdisciplinary research model were realized in practice. The implications of the authors' findings support developing UX curriculum and pedagogy in ways that emphasize real-world application tied to transdisciplinary research teams and formal, distributed usability testing.
Automated Framework for Software Process Model Selection Based on Soft Computing Approach
Authors: Dhingra Swati , Thirugnanam Mythili , Dodwad Poorvi , Madan Meghna
Published: August 2020

Software engineering is an engineering approach for software development. It is a discipline whose aim is the production of fault-free, delivered on-time and within budget software that satisfies the user's needs. Software engineering principles need to be followed to ensure a successful software development project. Within organizations that are involved in software development, the challenge is to select the appropriate process model for the software project. The objective of this chapter is to determine the factors which influence the process model selection. This chapter presents an automated framework for selection of process model using fuzzy-based rule engine and to bring more accuracy for choice of process model, J-48 decision tree was used considering factors as inputs. The user has to give characteristic value of the prioritized factor as input and on the basis of the rules, model is anticipated. The developed framework will be profitable for project managers, experts and venture pioneers in software companies.
Assessing the Potential Improvement an Open Systems Development Perspective Could Offer to the Software Evolution Paradigm
Authors: Cowling James Austin , Ivins Wendy K.
Published: August 2020

Emerging stakeholder needs and a changing environment drive increasing demands for the constant adaption of software through maintenance and new capability development. A more evolutionary software engineering approach is sought to improve engineering responsiveness; Open System Development appears to offer a partial contribution but presents many challenges. This exploratory research proposes a new definition of the evolution of complex engineered systems, building on the essential features of ‘openness' described by Cowling et al (2014) and Lehman's (1980) ideas of evolutionary software. Using Checkland's (1999) Soft System Methodology enabled a structured literature review and analysis of the relative contributions of three divergent methodologies to the success of systems outcomes. These methodologies are: Plan-Driven, Agile, and Open Source Software Development. The analysis reveals several opportunities and highlights the critical issue of determining return on investment which needs to be overcome if an open approach is to contribute to evolutionary software engineering.
Agent-Based Software Engineering, Paradigm Shift, or Research Program Evolution
Authors: Wautelet Yves , Schinckus Christophe , Kolp Manuel
Published: August 2020

Information systems are deeply linked to human activities. Unfortunately, development methodologies have been traditionally inspired by programming concepts and not by organizational and human ones. This leads to ontological and semantic gaps between the systems and their environments. The adoption of agent orientation and multi-agent systems (MAS) helps to reduce these gaps by offering modeling tools based on organizational concepts (actors, agents, goals, objectives, responsibilities, social dependencies, etc.) as fundamentals to conceive systems through all the development process. Moreover, software development is becoming increasingly complex. Stakeholders' expectations are growing higher while the development agendas have to be as short as possible. Project managers, business analysts, and software developers need adequate processes and models to specify the organizational context, capture requirements, and build efficient and flexible systems.
Computer Science and Prison Education
Authors: Okike Ezekiel U.
Published: August 2020

In this chapter, the discipline of computing science and its relevance in prison education are examined, starting with a description of computing science sub disciplines namely, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, information technology, and information systems. The chapter opines that providing computer education to prison inmates should prepare them for gainful employment after release from the prison. It is suggested that equipping prison inmates with relevant computing skills is just as relevant as computer education in the normal society. Hence, it is strongly recommended that national governments in developing countries should take appropriate steps to implement a focused computing science education program in prisons including commissioning a feasibility study, consulting with local universities, and local universities playing active roles in developing appropriate curriculum of computing science education for prisoners.
A Review of Literature About Models and Factors of Productivity in the Software Factory
Authors: Vargas Pedro S. Castañeda , Mauricio David
Published: August 2020

Software factories seek to develop quality software in a manner comparable to the production of other industrial products, establishing improvements in their production process so as to be more competitive. Productivity, one of the competitiveness pillars, is related to the effort required to fulfill assigned tasks. However, there is no standard way of measuring productivity, making it difficult to establish policies and strategies to improve the factory. In this article, the authors perform a systematic review of the literature on factors affecting productivity of software factories, and models for measuring it. For the period 2005-2017, 74 factors and 10 models are identified. Most of the factors are related to Programming, and a few to Analysis and Design and Testing. Also, most models for measuring productivity only consider activities concerning programming.
The Context of IST for Solid Information Retrieval and Infrastructure Building
Authors: Paul Prantosh Kumar
Published: August 2020

Development and progress mainly depends on education and its solid dissemination. Technologies as well as engineering solutions are important for the business and corporate houses. In this context, educational initiatives and programs play a vital role. Developing countries are suffering from many problems and therefore fostering new academic innovation and researches on economic development in today's context. Information Technologies and management science are important for solid business solutions. Therefore, education and knowledge dissemination play an important and valuable role. In many developing countries, gaps between industrial needs and the availability of skilled labor are limited. Information Sciences and Computing are the most valuable areas of study in today's knowledge world. The components, subsets, and subfields of Information Sciences and Technology are rapidly emerging worldwide. Among the emerging and popular areas, a few include Cloud Computing, Green Computing, Green Systems, Big-Data Science, Internet, Business Analytics, and Business Intelligence. Developing countries (like China, Colombia, Malaysia, Mauritius, India, Brazil, South Africa) depend in many ways on knowledge dissemination and solid manpower for their development. Thus, there is an urgent need to introduce such programs and the majority of these programs have been proposed here. Information Science and Technology (IST) with programs such as Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral Degrees have been listed here with academic and industrial contexts. This article highlights these programs with proper SWOT analysis.
Enterprise Resource Planning Development in China in the Age of Intelligent Manufacturing
Authors: Edwards David
Published: August 2020

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, an important software enabler of intelligent manufacturing, are the core of the “Made in China 2025” initiative to comprehensively upgrade the Chinese industry. However, ERP is notoriously difficult to adopt. In this chapter, the author discusses the Chinese ERP adoption landscape and explores important issues facing organizations adopting ERP. The chapter presents the findings of a large-scale survey of Chinese management by identifying and overcoming major barriers to further success in ERP development. The chapter highlights the influence of organizational culture, education, and training on future success. The challenge will be to provide education and training that addresses both culturally specific organizational issues and technical challenges. Providers with specific cultural understanding, including vendors and universities in Oceania and Asia, will benefit from this study.
Investigation of the Calendar Effect
Authors: Isiker Murat , Ugurlu Umut , Tas Oktay
Published: August 2020

This chapter aims to examine calendar anomaly in selected sample countries by using second-order stochastic dominance (SSD) approach. Day-of-the-week and month-of-the-year effects are analysed for a group of 5 developed and 5 developing country indexes to estimate efficient (inefficient) weekdays and months for the period between 1988 and 2016. Then, back-testing procedure is applied for each sample country to compare performance of index returns for 2017-2019 with the strategy arisen by estimation results. Findings suggest that Monday and Friday returns are inefficient and efficient respectively in all developing countries where different results obtained for developed ones. In monthly analysis, December returns found efficient in 8 indexes including S&P 500. However, October is inefficient for all indexes. Positive January effect seems disappeared in most cases. Back-testing results indicate that in a bearish market condition SSD strategy outperforms index returns in general for daily and monthly comparison.
Evaluation of Alternative Approaches in Classification Algorithms for Prediction of Stock Market Index
Authors: Vlah Jerić Silvija
Published: August 2020

This chapter tackles the problem of automatic recognition of favorable days for intra-day trading. The problem is modeled as a binary classification problem, and several approaches are tested for solving it. Croatian stock index CROBEX data is used and 22 technical indicators are calculated as predictor variables. Performance of five classifiers is evaluated and compared by using Cohen's kappa as evaluation metric: artificial neural network, support network machine, random forest, k-nearest neighbors, and naïve Bayes classifier. The results give insight to effectiveness of technical analysis in predicting the day favorability for CROBEX index and suggest that technical analysis makes sense and might work for this case.
Estimation of Securities Positioning Efficiency in Commercial Banks
Authors: Frolova Natalia , Frolov Evgeniy
Published: August 2020

The given research is devoted to the acute issue of efficiency of valuable assets positioning carried out by commercial banks. The chapter is aimed at examining factors that affect the efficiency of securities placement by commercial banks, as well as an econometric analysis based on the least squares method of the significance of the selected factors and their impact on the efficiency indicator. While researching this issue, the phenomenon of adaptability, which means the higher the price set, is in comparison with the medium price scale, the higher the underpricing at setting with corresponding other equal terms was singled out The methods of critical literature review, statistical analysis, and econometric model creation have been used to justify it. Moreover, the research resulted in model creation, which characterizes the state of a definite commercial bank to be ready for emission of assets by means of initial public offering.
A Review of Standard Spectral Risk Measures
Authors: Berkhouch Mohammed , Lakhnati Ghizlane
Published: August 2020

Spectral risk measures are defined as the most attractive subclass of coherent quantile-based risk measures, with a remarkable aptitude for concretizing the decision-maker's subjective attitude toward risk. This chapter raises the problem of underrepresentation of the subclass of spectral risk measures by reviewing the standard spectral risk measures proposed in the literature. In parallel, a discussion about the approaches behind the conception of these risk measures is held. Through this discussion, the authors spot a number of problems with each of these proposals that stand against the reliable applicability of these risk measures in practice.
LGBT College Student Career Development
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth L. , Burrows Michael A.
Published: August 2020

LGBT college students need mentorship regarding their career development from their faculty members. This paper provides an informed approach, grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory and supported by empirical research, for faculty members to provide effective career guidance specifically tailored for LGBT students. Goals and recommendations for career advising with LGBT students are provided using an SCCT-informed approach, given the unique needs and experiences of LGBT students. Explanations of how SCCT offers a relevant understanding to faculty members, as well as instructions for how to appropriately advise LGBT students in their career development is provided. Conclusions and future directions are also discussed.
Examining the Benefits of Teaching Active Study Strategies as a Part of Classroom Instruction
Authors: Rogers Melissa McConnell
Published: August 2020

When students self-regulate their learning, those using more active strategies demonstrate greater learning than those using passive strategies. The article examines whether teaching active study strategies in a first-year seminar can improve test performance in another course. Using a quasi-experimental approach in two studies, 18 students enrolled in a first-year seminar course received study instruction and selected another course to use these methods. Eighteen control students in a first-year seminar course did not receive study strategy instruction. Results show that when the study-strategy students were required to study for Test 2 using active strategies, they improved more than control students. In Study 2, when study-strategy students were not required to study actively for Test 3, they no longer performed better. This suggest requiring students to study actively improves performance, but research needs to examine how to encourage students to continue studying actively.
Multiple Points Localization With Defocused Images
Authors: Wang Dongzhen , Huang Daqing
Published: August 2020

3D points reconstruction has attracted increasing attentions both in computer vision and robotic intelligence areas. However, the real depth measurement still relies on depth measurement instruments. Although many measurement methods for depth exist, they usually need additional instruments, which always increase the cost of the measurement system. To better localize the position of 3D points without use of other instruments, a direct method is proposed which acquires depth from defocus of current images in this paper. The method utilizes the property of camera lens system and mechanism of SFM to remove the ambiguity of structure scale and the relative error between these 3D points. In addition, a multiple image setting for improving the robustness of depth estimation is proposed that can further eliminate depth error from some kinds of nature noises. Experiments on the real scene are implemented, which shows that the proposed method outperforms the ordinary 3D points localization method.
Determinants of Financial E-Transparency in Honduran Municipalities
Authors: Bastida Francisco , Estrada Lorenzo , Guillamón María-Dolores
Published: August 2020

This paper contributes to the scarce literature on e-government transparency in Central America by analyzing the impact of political, financial and socio-economic factors on municipal financial e-transparency in Honduras. The sample covers 86 Honduran municipalities in 2016-17. The data show a weak impact of ideology and mayor's gender on e-transparency, with progressive governments and men achieving more e-transparency. Municipalities receiving more transfers are more transparent. Taking all financial variables together, the data are in line with the Theory of Fiscal Illusion and the Theory of Agency, since municipalities are not reporting greater levels of taxes, deficit, and debt to their taxpayers. Honduran municipalities are only concerned about meeting central government legal requirements about transfers received. The fact that municipalities do not increase e-transparency to be held accountable by their citizens is against the assumptions of the Theory of Legitimacy. Finally, larger municipalities and with greater income are more fiscally transparent.
Semiochemical-based integrated pest management of ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in British Columbia’s forest industry: implemented in 1982 and still running
Authors: Borden John H. , Stokkink Eveline
Published: August 2020

Three species of ambrosia beetles (Trypodendron lineatum (Olivier), Gnathotrichus sulcatus (LeConte), and G. retusus (LeConte) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)) have been estimated to cause annual losses of $95–$189 million in degrade of logs and lumber on the British Columbia coast, in Canada. A consultant-run semiochemical-based integrated pest management programme was implemented in 1982 against these beetles, following fulfilment of four prerequisites: (1) presence of receptive potential clients, (2) availability of semiochemical lures, (3) invention of an operational trap, and (4) proof of concept of mass trapping technology. The programme is based on two broad strategies: maintain the problem at a tolerable level and, if necessary, reduce the problem to a tolerable level. One measure of effectiveness over 12 years of mass trapping at a dryland sort near Sooke, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, was 16.4 million beetles trapped and an estimated five to one benefit-to-cost ratio. Despite success, several factors have conspired to reduce the programme from 50 sites serviced in early years to 7 in 2018. Timber companies in British Columbia are currently showing renewed interest and are taking steps to incorporate the integrated pest management programme as a formal component of their overall operations.
Assessment of Free-Living Cadence Using ActiGraph Accelerometers Between Individuals With and Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Lisee Caroline M. , Montoye Alexander H.K. , Lewallen Noble F. , Hernandez Mayrena , Bell David R. , Kuenze Christopher M.
Published: August 2020

Context

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) and gait speed are risk factors for developing knee osteoarthritis (OA). Measuring minute-level cadence during free-living activities may aid in identifying individuals at elevated risk of developing slow habitual gait speed and, in the long term, OA.

Objective

To assess differences in peak 1-minute cadence and weekly time in different cadence intensities between individuals with and without ACLR.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Short-term, free-living conditions.

Patients or Other Participants

A total of 57 participants with ACLR (34 women, 23 men; age = 20.9 ± 3.2 years, time since surgery = 28.7 ± 17.7 months) and 42 healthy control participants (22 women, 20 men; age = 20.7 ± 1.7 years).

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Each participant wore a physical activity monitor for 7 days. Data were collected at 30 Hz, processed in 60-second epochs, and included in the analyses if the activity monitor was worn for at least 10 hours per day over 4 days. Mean daily steps, peak 1-minute cadence, and weekly minutes spent at 60 to 79 (slow walking), 80 to 99 (medium walking), 100 to 119 (brisk walking), ≥100 (moderate- to vigorous-intensity ambulation), and ≥130 (vigorous-intensity ambulation) steps per minute were calculated. One-way analyses of covariance were conducted to determine differences between groups, controlling for height and activity-monitor wear time.

Results

Those with ACLR took fewer daily steps (8422 ± 2663 versus 10 033 ± 3046 steps; P = .005) and spent fewer weekly minutes in moderate- to vigorous-intensity cadence (175.8 ± 116.5 minutes versus 218.5 ± 137.1 minutes; P = .048) than participants without ACLR. We observed no differences in minutes spent at slow (ACLR = 77.4 ± 40.5 minutes versus control = 83.9 ± 34.3 minutes; P = .88), medium (ACLR = 71.6 ± 40.2 minutes versus control = 82.9 ± 46.8 minutes; P = .56), brisk (ACLR = 115.3 ± 70.3 minutes versus control = 138.3 ± 73.3 minutes; P = .18), or vigorous-intensity (ACLR = 24.3 ± 36.5 minutes versus control = 38.1 ± 60.9 minutes; P = .10) cadences per week.

Conclusions

Participants with ACLR walked approximately 40 fewer minutes per week in moderate- to vigorous-intensity cadence than participants without ACLR. Increasing the time spent at cadence ≥100 steps per minute and overall volume of physical activity may be useful as interventional targets to help reduce the risk of early development of OA after ACLR.
Global Positioning System–Derived Workload Metrics and Injury Risk in Team-Based Field Sports: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kupperman Natalie , Hertel Jay
Published: August 2020

Objective

To evaluate the current literature regarding the utility of global positioning system (GPS)–derived workload metrics in determining musculoskeletal injury risk in team-based field-sport athletes.

Data Sources

PubMed entries from January 2009 through May 2019 were searched using terms related to GPS, player workload, injury risk, and team-based field sports.

Study Selection

Only studies that used GPS metrics and had injury as the main outcome variable were included.

Data Extraction

Total distance, high-speed running, and acute : chronic workload ratios were the most common GPS metrics analyzed, with the most frequent sports being soccer, rugby, and Australian rules football.

Data Synthesis

Many distinct workload metrics were associated with increased injury risk in individual studies performed in particular sport circumstances; however, the body of evidence was inconclusive as to whether any specific metrics could consistently predict injury risk across multiple team-based field sports.

Conclusions

Our results were inconclusive in determining if any GPS–derived workload metrics were associated with an increased injury risk. This conclusion is due to a myriad of factors, including differences in injury definitions, workload metrics, and statistical analyses across individual studies.
Gargle lavage as a viable alternative to swab for detection of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Mittal Ankit , Gupta Ankesh , Kumar Shiv , Surjit Milan , Singh Binit , Soneja Manish , Soni Kapil Dev , Khan Adil Rashid , Singh Komal , Naik Shivdas , Kumar Arvind , Aggarwal Richa , Nischal Neeraj , Sinha Sanjeev , Trikha Anjan , Wig Naveet
Published: August 2020

Background & objectives:

Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab (NPS and OPS) collection is widely accepted as the preferred method for obtaining respiratory samples. However, it has certain disadvantages which may be overcome by gargling. The primary objective of this study was to assess agreement between gargle lavage and swab as an appropriate respiratory sample for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. The secondary objective was to assess the patient acceptability of the two sampling methods.

Methods:

It was a cross-sectional study done at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India, on 50 confirmed COVID-19 patients. Paired swab (NPS and OPS) and gargle samples were taken within 72 h of their diagnosis. Samples were processed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of SARS-CoV-2. Post-sample collection, a 10-point scale was administered to assess the level of discomfort with either of the collection methods.

Results:

All gargle samples were positive and comparable to their corresponding swab samples irrespective of the symptoms and duration of illness. The cycle threshold (Ct) values for gargle samples were slightly higher but comparable to those of swabs. Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement between the two methods. Majority (72%) of the patients reported moderate-to-severe discomfort with swab collection in comparison to 24 per cent reporting only mild discomfort with gargle collection.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Our preliminary results show that the gargle lavage may be a viable alternative to swabs for sample collection for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Adoption of gargle lavage for sample collection will have a significant impact as it will enable easy self-collection, relieve healthcare workers and also lead to substantial cost savings by reducing the need for swabs and personal protective equipment.
A splicing formula for the LMO invariant
Authors: Massuyeau Gwénaël , Moussard Delphine
Published: August 2020

We prove a “splicing formula” for the LMO invariant, which is the universal finite-type invariant of rational homology three-spheres. Specifically, if a rational homology three-sphere M is obtained by gluing the exteriors of two framed knots
$K_1 \subset M_1$
and

$K_2\subset M_2$
in rational homology three-spheres, our formula expresses the LMO invariant of M in terms of the Kontsevich–LMO invariants of

$(M_1,K_1)$
and

$(M_2,K_2)$
. The proof uses the techniques that Bar-Natan and Lawrence developed to obtain a rational surgery formula for the LMO invariant. In low degrees, we recover Fujita’s formula for the Casson–Walker invariant, and we observe that the second term of the Ohtsuki series is not additive under “standard” splicing. The splicing formula also works when each

$M_i$
comes with a link

$L_i$
in addition to the knot

$K_i$
, hence we get a “satellite formula” for the Kontsevich–LMO invariant.
Latin America: development tendencies
Authors: Orlov A. A.
Published: August 2020

The article analyzes the political processes taking place in Latin America. The author pays special attention to the increase of tension in some countries on the continent, especially in Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil. He comes to the conclusion that the United States, who have distanced themselves from Latin America’s affairs in recent years, head for «reformatting» of the continent under its own interest, that can have a serious destabilizing effect.
In what direction does Latin America move?
Authors: Astakhov E. M.
Published: August 2020

The author presents prognosis about perspectives of Latin America and Caribe in the composition of future world. The article discusses a possible place of the region on the actual geopolitical map.
The classification of newspaper headlines in Spanish journalist discourse
Authors: Vereshinskaya Yu. V.
Published: August 2020

The article reviews the different classifications of the Spanish newspaper headlines that were offered by the Spanish linguists. They consider the headline a component of the mediatext that reproduces completely or partly the elements of the text of the article. These investigations concern such areas of linguistics as media linguistics, pragmalinguistics, functional linguistics, theory of the text.
Clothing as a symbol of the political protest in Spanish political and journalistic discourse
Authors: Slivchikova Yu. V.
Published: August 2020

The article considers the costume description as an efficient political tool. The study sets out to show by comparing the clothing description of the representatives of the opposing parties that the vestimentary elements obtain new meanings affecting the image of the person that is nothing else but the way of the public control.
Current trends and prospects of Latin American integration
Authors: Kuznetsov D. A.
Published: August 2020

On-going regional transformations in Latin America have already dramatically shifted the landscape of Latin American integration. The article analyzes evolution as well as current trends of the regional integration and poses that political and ideological factors increasingly prove to be driving forces of regionalism leading to subregionalization, with each of the existing integration associations elaborating its own (and sometimes competing) development pattern. The author resorts to SWOT-analysis to single out internal and external forces, which influence integration in Latin America, and formulates several scenarios of regional/subregional development in the future, to wit: Pan-American dream, Bolívar’s dream and Latin American mosaics.
Preface
Authors: Okuneva L. S.
Published: August 2020

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Shifts in the inter-american system of international relations under the impact of shale gas revolution in the USA
Authors: Mamaev K. A.
Published: August 2020

The article dissects possible shifts in the inter-American system of international relations during Barack Obama’s presidency under the impact of shale gas revolution in the USA. Despite the fact that internal energy revolution can strengthen US political and economic heft in the Western Hemisphere, the system will not develop in the logic of the 20th century. The conclusions made by the author are confirmed by the 2015 National Security Strategy and recent Barack Obama’s remarks at the VII OAS summit in Panamá (2015).
FILM INDUSTRY AS BRANCH OF CREATIVE ECONOMY OF SPAIN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE XXI CENTURY
Authors: Belova E. .
Published: August 2020

The creative industries have one of the highest rates of the development in the modern economy. Researchers consider that these industries contain potential for the socio-economic development of countries and cities. The article examines the contribution of the creative industry to the economy of European Union countries. The research contains metodology of the selection and the analysis of key indicators of the cinema industry development of Spain (as one of the leader countries in the world in this field). The result of the work represents the classification of autonomous communities of Spain according to the development of local industry.
STORM THE HEAVENS OR SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICAL DISCOURSE OF THE NEW SPANISH PARTY PODEMOS
Authors: Astakhova E. .
Published: August 2020

The report analyzes the features of political discourse, rhetorical techniques and marketing methods of the Spanish party Podemos , which in a short period of existence in the political arena of the country - little more than a year and a half after the official proclamation - has managed to achieve significant progress in the electoral field. Aims to win power, the party’s ideology appeal to the Spanish citizens , using simple , accessible and emotionally meaningful slogans , building on the achievements of cognitive psychology and linguistics. Attaches great importance to the effects on the public consciousness with the help of words and metaphors.
INMIGRANT WOMEN: SPEECH ACTS
Authors: Rodríguez Gallardo ÁNGEL , Rodríguez Salgado LAURA , Vázquez Silva IRIA
Published: August 2020

Based on the data obtained in the project ‘Inmigrant Woman, Language and Society: New Perspectives for Integration”, which is being developed in the University of Vigo, we analyse the relations between the use of specific speech acts and the processes of assimilation, adaptation, integration, and cultural and language preservation that inmigrant women show in the host community, and specifically in this case, in Galicia, an autonomous territory from Spain.
The energy policy in Spain: the case of the sector of the electricity
Authors: Sаnchez-Andrés Antonio
Published: August 2020

In this article the recent electricity policy in Spain is analysed. Firstly, the paper study how the goals were established, afterword it explains the design of the economic policy and ﬁnally their results are hi-ghlighted. The article concludes by evaluating the results obtained, with reference to the initially established objectives and also the costs of the policies implemented
Restarting Cuba -USA relations: a “new chapter” in USA relations with Latin America ?
Authors: Ulugova Jilola Sh.
Published: August 2020

The article focuses the attention on the analysis of the changes that face the Cuban-American relations. On December 17, 2014 two leaders announced their decision to restore diplomatic relations after half a century of hostilities. Since then, they have achieved signiﬁcant progress, but Cuba and USA still have many accounts to pay before the standardization process can be ﬁnished. These outstanding issues are the economic blockade of Cuba and the return of Guantanamo Bay under the jurisdiction of the Cuban authorities. However, it is clear that the rapprochement between the old antagonists has removed the stumbling block that for the long time was hindering the inter-American relations.Where will go Cuba-USA relations? Can we say that “restarting” proclaimed by Obama in 2009 is realy im-plemented? Will the two countries overcome the discrepancies that still exist and prevent the further development of promising dialogue? Or USA domestic politics with its sophisticated decision-making mechanism will hinder this process? These are the questions that aims to address the author in the article.
Institutional instruments of anticyclical ﬁscal policy of Chile
Authors: Ajmed Abu Bakr Farid
Published: August 2020

The recent slump in commodity prices put resource rich countries in the spot again. The end of a ten year commodity boom put to test the resilience of countries’ ﬁnancial position and urged the governments of these economies to adjust their ﬁscal policy to a new long term reality of low prices for commodities. The overwhelming majority of these countries are now facing the problem of ﬁnding ﬁnancial resources to meet their social security obligations, stimulate business activity and oﬀset the outﬂow of foreign investment by increasing government spending. For this purpose a strong institutional and legislative framework is required to ensure that government spending plays an anticyclical role. In this article we put Chile as an example of a country that managed to lay grounds for a solid ﬁscal policy with independent advisory institutions and a transparent deci-sion-making process. The overview tackles the issues of ﬁscal rule, Sovereign Wealth Fund management as well as the results of Chilean ﬁscal policy during the recent crisis.
Tourist image of Spain
Authors: Koroleva Alina A.
Published: August 2020

He article touches upon one of the elements of the “soft power” of Spain - tourism; gives a brief overview of the scale advertising campaigns; presents the basic stereotypes associated with tourist Spain
Russian-Chilean relations in the XIX-XX centuries
Authors: Sizonenko Alexander
Published: August 2020

The article deals with the analysis of the formation of the Russian-Chilean relations and the contacts between the both countries in the XIX-XX centuries
The new aesthetics of the Spanish political life as a reﬂection of social changes
Authors: Astakhova Elena
Published: August 2020

Socio-economic changes in Spanish society that emerged in the end of the ﬁrst decade of this century as a result of a deep ﬁnancial crisis and moral weariness of the population from the corrupt politicians, have led to the emergence of new political forces which quickly gained popularity. It applies most of all to the party Podemos, headed by a charismatic leader, Pablo Iglesias. The success of Podemos caused a shock for the ruling elite of Spain, accustomed during the years of democracy to the two-party system and a relatively similar electoral and governmental rhetoric. Aesthetics, as a reﬂection of real life and value attitude, goes hand in hand with politics. The change in ideology and a challenge to the system lead to new forms of public activities, of the mobilization of supporters, of election campaign, clothing, manners, discourse, etc. New aesthetics is against of obvious, changes the usual symbols.The deputies of Podemos and other leftist challenge prevailing conventions and introduce to the «sacred» Parliament the real life of the street. The denial of parliamentary dress code means not desire to play by the rules of the «caste». The colloquial language typical for the media, television talk shows and glamorous magazines is usual now in the Parliament. The policy changes its iconographic attributes and the language of communication. Currently, in Spain, in social terms, two aesthetic, and thus ideological systems are facing: alternative - anti-globalization in fact, and so called «neotransit», i.e. the idealization of the ﬁrst years of democracy, when there was political consensus and stability. The future will show which tendency will be viable and long lasting, it will depend on global circunstances that are in the constant movement and unpredictable direction.
Lessons of international law: the problem of territorial integrity in the context of the outcomes of American-Mexican War (1846-1848)
Authors: Voronin Evgeny
Published: August 2020

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of the American-Mexican War of 1846-1848 through the prism of international law, in particular, in the aspect of the problem of territorial integrity in its understanding as a principle of international law.
Speciﬁcity of grammatical realities and violations of grammatical standards in the contemporary discourse of Spanish newspaper media
Authors: Alimova Rosana
Published: August 2020

In article there are analysed the characteristic processes happening in the grammatical sphere in a journalese discourse of Spain. The special attention is paid to the practical examples showing cases of violation of grammatical norms and standards.
Brand of Spain: perception within the country and abroad
Authors: Koroleva Alina
Published: August 2020

The goal of the study was to analyze the perception of the territorial brand of Spain at home and abroad. The theoretical basis of the study is the concept of the national brands index S. Anholt. The study was done with the application of the methods of comparative analysis of empirical data obtained from international and Spanish studies in the area of territorial branding. The research materials are made in the area of territorial branding, representing various approaches, sampling and methodology: the S. Anholt Index of National Brands (Nation Brand Index); Ranking Country RepTrack and researching the external and internal image of Spain at the Royal Institute of Elkano. The ranking analysis showed that in 2016 the reputation of the most authoritative states suffered, but Spain’s reputation began to be evaluated better and for the ﬁrst time it became part of a group of countries with a stable reputation. The growth of Spain’s reputation in the world is due to the fact that in 2015 the tone of publications about Spain in the international media system had changed - a direct association with the economic crisis had left the narrative. The results of the research in the ﬁeld of territorial branding conﬁrm the thesis of Carlos Espinosa, the High Commissioner of the state project «Brand Spain» (Marca España), that in Spain the country’s brand is estimated lower than abroad, but at the same time the positive dynamics of the perception of Spain’s image indicate the effectiveness of this project and the competitiveness of the brand of Spain at the present stage. Contrary to the economic and political difﬁculties that Spain has faced over the past 20 years, regular work to design and promote the brand of Spain has been and has yielded positive results.