bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Myosteatosis on Computed Tomography by Automatic Generation of a Muscle Quality Map Using a Web-Based Toolkit: Feasibility Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kim Dong Wook , Kim Kyung Won , Ko Yousun , Park Taeyong , Khang Seungwoo , Jeong Heeryeol , Koo Kyoyeong , Lee Jeongjin , Kim Hong-Kyu , Ha Jiyeon , Sung Yu Sub , Shin Youngbin
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND

Muscle quality is associated with fatty degeneration or infiltration of the muscle, which may be associated with decreased muscle function and increased disability.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of automated quantitative measurements of the skeletal muscle on computed tomography (CT) images to assess normal-attenuation muscle and myosteatosis.

METHODS

We developed a web-based toolkit to generate a muscle quality map by categorizing muscle components. First, automatic segmentation of the total abdominal muscle area (TAMA), visceral fat area, and subcutaneous fat area was performed using a predeveloped deep learning model on a single axial CT image at the L3 vertebral level. Second, the Hounsfield unit of each pixel in the TAMA was measured and categorized into 3 components: normal-attenuation muscle area (NAMA), low-attenuation muscle area (LAMA), and inter/intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) area. The myosteatosis area was derived by adding the LAMA and IMAT area. We tested the feasibility of the toolkit using randomly selected healthy participants, comprising 6 different age groups (20 to 79 years). With stratification by sex, these indices were compared between age groups using 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Correlations between the myosteatosis area or muscle densities and fat areas were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient r.

RESULTS

A total of 240 healthy participants (135 men and 105 women) with 40 participants per age group were included in the study. In the 1-way ANOVA, the NAMA, LAMA, and IMAT were significantly different between the age groups in both male and female participants (P≤.004), whereas the TAMA showed a significant difference only in male participants (male, P<.001; female, P=.88). The myosteatosis area had a strong negative correlation with muscle densities (r=–0.833 to –0.894), a moderate positive correlation with visceral fat areas (r=0.607 to 0.669), and a weak positive correlation with the subcutaneous fat areas (r=0.305 to 0.441).

CONCLUSIONS

The automated web-based toolkit is feasible and enables quantitative CT assessment of myosteatosis, which can be a potential quantitative biomarker for evaluating structural and functional changes brought on by aging in the skeletal muscle.

CLINICALTRIAL
MUSIC STUDENTS` PREFERENCES FOR WORLD MUSIC IN THE CONTEXT OF STIMULATING INTERCULTURAL EDUCATION
Authors: Cvetković Sonja C. , Đurđanović Miomira M. , Đorđević Marija M.
Published: July 2020

The paper analyzes the phenomenon of world music and the preferences of music students from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Niš for this musical genre in the context of stimulating intercultural education. The research based on the descriptive method was conducted with the intention to obtain answers to questions about whether music students have knowledge/understanding of/for interculturality, to examine their attitudes towards different cultures, and whether they are ready to act against racial/cultural differences and prejudices. The results of this research were completed with the results of a survey, in which students evaluated selected examples of world music. This musical genre was chosen because in our opinion music is perceived not only as an autonomous artistic practice, but also as a representation of a particular culture, collective, and/or ethnic group. On the basis of the results, we tried to determine the students' reactions to the musical characteristics of the closer and distant cultural areas as well as their willingness to accept musical, linguistic and cultural differences in the context of the still dominant presence of the West European  musical art in the process of academic education.
MUSIC IN SLOVENIA BEFORE THE CENTURIES OF THE ŠKOFJA LOKA PASSION PLAY: 16TH AND 17TH CENTURY MUSIC IN THE DUCHY OF CARNIOLA
Authors: Križnar Franc
Published: July 2020

In the 16th and at the beginning of the 17th century, church and secular, vocal as well as instrumental music was present in Slovenia and in the Duchy of Carniola. We can see this on the basis of material provided during the first decade of the 17th century, i.e. immediately before the first procession of the Škofja Loka Passion play (1721). Among the composers we can mention Tomaž Hren and the Ljubljana Jesuits, although we do not know of any composer at the beginning of the 17th century who may have been anchored as a creator at home. Yet we can find them among emigrants: Gabriel Plavec Carniolus (Plautz, Plautzius) in Mainz/Germany (1641), Daniel Lagkhner from Maribor/Slovenia (in Loosdorf/Austria; 1607) and Isaac Posch (in Carinthia). He died in 1621 or 1622 and he was known above all for the variation suite. Plavec and Lagkhner made the transition from the Late Renaissance to the Early Baroque, while Posch explicitly by the monody, i.e. in the early Baroque. The music and the musicians mentioned above were important in this period of more than one hundred years, even if not always and everywhere alike. The music grew from humble beginnings and, within the Slovenian territory, did not diverge from all which was modern west of the Slovenian ethnic borders.
EPHEMERAL ARCHITECTURE - A PROPOSAL FOR INTERVENTIONS IN PUBLIC SPACE
Authors: Janković Sanja , Stanković Danica
Published: July 2020

Most certainly, architectural objectives are the basis of the physical structure of a city, yet they are distinct morphological and typological units, they are free spaces with exceptional values and characteristics. Buildings that form the spaces of cities often change, build and disintegrate, but the permanent motive of the city space remains - an empty, unfinished part, as a constant sign of history. On the hierarchical scale of the urban environment, important elements are ephemeral structures, permanent or temporary. A possibility for empty space to be revived is the installation of artistic or ephemeral utilitarian structures. This paper presents the role of such micro-urban interventions that enrich the public space and contribute to its revitalization. Ephemeral architecture is especially suitable as a space for the presentation of artistic ideas and for incorporating new technological contents. The aim of the paper is to highlight a view about the importance of ephemeral structures by analyzing and studying the case studies. Special emphasis is placed on examples of completed projects of the pavilions of unique forms and the use of ship containers as a space for introducing artistic ideas. The main contribution of this paper should be a proposal of using ephemeral structures in urban space revival by promoting art and establishing a social contact.
El código social en la Rusia contemporánea: ventajas y riesgos de la regulación jurídica
Authors: Abramova Marianna , Popova Anna , Gorokhova Svetlana
Published: July 2020

Hoy, en Rusia, se presta gran atención a la calidad de las actas legislativas. Esto se debe al acercamiento de los sistemas de derecho y del proceso de elaboración de leyes de los diferentes Estados. Los derechos humanos, incluidos los sociales, son considerados de supremo valor por la Constitución de la Federación de Rusia. Pero el verdadero desarrollo para el logro de estos valores sufre de las contradicciones. Eso no corresponde al posicionamiento de Rusia como Estado social, porque hasta el día de hoy, en Rusia, no existe un código social federal único. Las leyes de seguridad social no son sistémicas; son contradictorias y complejas en su aplicación. Y es que la regulación de los derechos sociales se encuentra bajo control, tanto del gobierno federal como de las regiones de la Federación de Rusia. Desde el 2004 y hasta el 2017, siete regiones de la Federación de Rusia adoptaron su código social, que en este artículo analizamos de acuerdo con diversos criterios: conceptos fundamentales, objetivos, tareas y estructura del código, principios de la legislación social, la existencia de fórmulas de cálculos y otros. Según la opinión de los autores del artículo, el código social federal contribuiría a tan indispensable unión de la sociedad rusa. La codificación de esta ley es de gran importancia para garantizar el acceso de las amplias masas de la población a ésta, así como para elevar el conocimiento de los ciudadanos rusos sobre sus derechos sociales.
Las políticas de inserción laboral del migrante ante los acuerdos sostenidos por el gobierno de México con Estados Unidos de América en 2019
Authors: Aguilar Cisneros Kenia Yasbeth
Published: July 2020

En este artículo se analiza el fenómeno migratorio en México, así como las políticas públicas laborales generadas en materia migratoria ante las presiones arancelarias realizadas por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos de América con el afán de contener la migración hacia su país, identificando las barreras que México les presenta para conseguir un trabajo digno, los hechos en torno al problema público y el sentir de los migrantes, recogiendo sus impresiones ante su tránsito por México, planteando la necesidad de reestructurar las políticas públicas ante la insuficiencia del “Plan Juárez”, aplicando una metodología cualitativa mediante el estudio de casos obtenidos con el apoyo de organizaciones no gubernamentales, recopilando información mediante la revisión documental de diversas fuentes bibliográficas y la técnica de entrevista, concluyendo con una serie de propuestas que buscan la generación y eficiencia de los planes y programas destinados a lograr una verdadera inserción laboral del migrante en México.
O CONHECIMENTO DO NUTRICIONISTA FRENTE AO PACIENTE OBESO MÓRBIDO E A RELAÇÃO COM AQUELA QUE EXERCE A FUNÇÃO MATERNA
Authors: Petter Claudia , Torman Ronalisa
Published: July 2020

O presente artigo tem por objetivo verificar se o profissional da Nutrição frente ao paciente que apresenta Obesidade Mórbida possui conhecimento acerca de como se estabelece a relação deste, com aquela que exerce a função materna. Método: A pesquisa foi de natureza qualitativa tendo como instrumento principal um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada. Para a interpretação dos dados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo, proposta por (BARDIN, 2011), da qual emergiram duas categorias. Resultados: A amostra foi composta por dez nutricionistas que atendiam ou já haviam atendido pacientes Obesos Mórbidos e que atuavam na região do Vale do Rio dos Sinos e Serra Gaúcha. Constatou-se grande valorização do trabalho interdisciplinar, pois 100% das entrevistadas acreditam ser fundamental trabalhar em equipe na medida que atendem pacientes obesos mórbidos. A análise de conteúdo revelou ainda que 80% das nutricionistas entrevistadas, não possuem conhecimento acerca de como se estabelece a relação do paciente obeso mórbido com aquela que exerce a função materna. Porém todas entrevistadas concordam que uma vez que tivessem esse conhecimento, o mesmo as auxiliaria no atendimento a esses pacientes. Conclusão: Verificou-se que a maioria dos profissionais da nutrição não possui conhecimento acerca de como se estabelece a relação do paciente obeso mórbido com aquela que exerce a função materna e embora trabalhem com pacientes obesos mórbidos, nenhuma das entrevistadas possui curso voltado para obesidade mórbida.
RESSONÂNCIAS ENTRE PRÁTICAS DE SENSIBILIZAÇÃO E ELABORAÇÃO DE SI NA FORMAÇÃO EM EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA
Authors: Alves Flávio Soares
Published: July 2020

Este estudo traz reflexões sobre práticas de sensibilização na formação em Educação Física. Interessou compreender essas práticas como “treino de si sobre si mesmo”. Foi realizada pesquisa de campo (2013-2016) na disciplina de graduação “Práticas Corporais e Autoconhecimento” – PCA/UNESP-RC. Na dimensão dos procedimentos, buscou-se respaldo na pesquisa-intervenção, para alimentar uma discussão intensamente comprometida com a experiência didática. Diários dos alunos e do professor foram utilizados como material de pesquisa (pós-consentimento dos alunos participantes). Para as análises, partiu-se de uma reflexão acerca da noção de relacionamento corporal, em Laban, focando nas ressonâncias linguísticas que essas práticas suscitam no exercício do pensamento. Observou-se que a sensibilização diz respeito à tecnologia mais primordial, por meio da qual os homens servem-se de seus corpos, para lapidar seus modos de ser. Dessa lapidação de si, se engendra uma formação em exercício, que aponta para a irredutibilidade do corpo e das relações na Educação Física.
FORMAÇÃO CONTINUADA PARA PROFESSORES DE FILOSOFIA DA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA ATRAVÉS DA EXTENSÃO: UM ESPAÇO DE DIÁLOGO FILOSÓFICO E ENRIQUECIMENTO METODOLÓGICO
Authors: Fabian Eloi Pedro Fabian
Published: July 2020

A formação continuada tem um potencial para contribuir na construção das condições necessárias para oferecer um ensino médio de qualidade e para a consolidação da função social desta etapa de ensino. Um dos objetivos do Curso de Licenciatura em Filosofia é formar profissionais qualificados para o magistério. Esta qualificação compreende a capacitação para a transmissão do legado da tradição filosófica, gosto pelo pensamento inovador, crítico, autônomo, habilitação para despertar os jovens para o pensamento lógico, sistemático e a reflexão. Conectado com esses propósitos, o Projeto de Extensão: “Curso de formação continuada para professores que atuam no ensino de Filosofia na região de abrangência da 15ª CRE” foi implementado diante dos enormes desafios no ensino de Filosofia. Seu objetivo foi contribuir para a formação continuada de professores de Filosofia que atuam nas escolas da região norte do RS. Nele foram desenvolvidas 10 palestras/oficinas na 1ª edição (2015 e 2016) e 13 palestras/oficinas na 2ª edição (2017 e 2018), envolvendo diferentes áreas: Ética, Política, Metafísica, Epistemologia, História da Filosofia, Estética, Filosofia da Linguagem, Cinema e Filosofia, Lógica, etc. Visou estabelecer uma reflexão acerca da sua interface com o ensino nos aspectos da forma metodológica e conteúdo. Os cursistas também elaboraram sugestões criativas de planos de aula. O método utilizado foi de exposição dialogada nas palestras e oficinas. Um projeto pioneiro no curso de Filosofia, tendo obtido resultados positivos para os cursistas, alunos voluntários, professores, coordenador e colaboradores.
FEIRA DE CIÊNCIAS: FORMANDO PARA A CIDADANIA
Authors: Adams Fernanda Welter , Alves Scarlet Dandara Borges , Dos Santos Dayane Graciele , Nunes Simara Maria Tavares
Published: July 2020

O principal objetivo da educação na atualidade é promover uma formação crítica/cidadã, sendo necessário para isso que ocorram modificações no processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Dessa forma, buscando a promoção dessa formação diferenciada, os subprojetos do Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação à Docência dos cursos de Química, Matemática, História, Geografia e Biologia da Universidade Federal de Catalão (UFCat), Universidade Federal de Catalão em implantação desenvolveram como atividade de extensão a 2ª Feira de Ciências da UFCat: “Ciência a Flor da Pele”, que contou com a participação 126 alunos e 15 professores, de 10 escolas públicas e privadas da cidade de Catalão e região. Este trabalho objetiva analisar como a participação de alunos da Educação Básica em uma Feira de Ciências de nível regional pode impactar no seu processo de ensino e aprendizagem. Para a coleta dos dados fez-se uso de questionários que foram respondidos pelos discentes da Educação Básica que participaram das atividades; os questionários apresentavam questões abertas e foram analisados mediante Análise Textual Discursiva. A partir da análise dos dados, percebeu-se ganhos significativos no processo de ensino e aprendizagem dos alunos participantes, pois estes foram estimulados a elaborar seus próprios trabalhos de forma crítica, a trabalhar em grupo, a analisar/selecionar informações, a se comunicar em público, dentre outros. Conclui-se assim que a 2ª Feira de Ciências da UFCat proporcionou que os participantes desta atividade fossem atuantes e críticos no meio em que vivem, além da apropriação de conhecimentos acadêmicos, sociais e ambientais.
ATIVIDADES DE EXTENSÃO E AS CONCEPÇÕES DE CIENTISTAS DE ALUNOS DO SEXTO ANO DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL
Authors: De Melo Juliana Ricarda , Rotta Jeane Cristina Gomes
Published: July 2020

A concepção de cientistas apresentada pelos estudantes pode ser reflexo de seu cotidiano e, também, influenciada pela mídia. Muitas vezes, estas concepções veiculadas são estereotipadas e acabam não refletindo a visão real do trabalho de um cientista.  Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi, a partir de atividades de um projeto de extensão, investigar as concepções de cientistas de alunos de quatro escolas públicas e propor ações didáticas que possibilitassem a ressignificação dessas concepções. A metodologia desta pesquisa foi qualitativa e os dados obtidos pelos questionários e desenhos realizados pelos estudantes foram categorizados. Os resultados indicaram que a maioria dos estudantes apresenta uma visão de cientistas influenciada por programas transmitidos na televisão. A partir das atividades desenvolvidas no projeto de extensão, foi perceptível o entusiasmo dos estudantes pelas ações e muitos conseguiram perceber com mais clareza a figura do cientista e a pluralidade de seu trabalho científico.
The effect of the board of directors on the performance: Case of Tunisian banks
Authors: Derbali Abdelkader , Jamel Lamia , Lamouchi Ali , Elnagar Ahmed K , Ltaifa Monia Ben
Published: July 2020

The board of directors plays a crucial role as an internal structure of corporate governance. Certainly, its efficiency is needy on the existence of numerous issues; the greatest significance is correlated to its characteristics that relay principally to the individuality of its memberships, board dimension, combining the purposes of pronouncement and regulator as well the grade of the individuality of the audit board and the diverse gender of the committee. To assess the authenticity of our assumptions, which stipulate the presence of deterministic characteristics of the committee on the profitability of Tunisian banks, we evaluated by three different ratios i.e., ROA (return on asset), ROE (return on equity), and MP (market performance); and we estimate three models with linear regressions. The empirical findings were performed on a data sample composed of 11 Tunisian banks listed on the Stock Exchange of Tunisia (SET) during the period from 1999 to 2018. From the estimated regressions, we find a satisfactory outcome indicating the significance of the influence of the characteristics of the committee on the banking performance in Tunisia. Then, the percentage of outside directors negatively affects the level of the financial performance of banks. The number of institutional administrators performs an essential role in improving financial performance. Finally, the duality of the Presidency of the Council General-Directorate has a negative effect on the level of stock market performance of Tunisian banks.
Corrigenda
Authors: Editorial E
Published: July 2020

1. In the original article by Katarina Parezanovic Ilic, Ljiljana Mladenovic
Segedi, Aleksandra Jurisic Skevin, Ivana Zivanovic Macuzic, Vesna Grbovic,
Jasmin Nurkovic, Milan Jovanovic, Dejan Jeremic: ?The influence of various
risk factors on the strength of pelvic floor muscle in women? (Uticaj
razlicitih faktora rizika na jacinu misica poda karlice kod zene).
Vojnosanit Pregl 2017; 74(6): 557-563.
(https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP150420083P), the author Ljiljana Mladenovic
Segedi has an additional affiliation: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of
Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia. 2. In the Case Report by Zorica Gajinov, Tatjana
Ros, Milana Ivkov-Simic, Branislava Gajic, Sonja Prcic, Milan Matic:
?Tick-borne lymphadernopthy acquired in Serbia - report of two cases (Ubodom
krpelja izazvana limfadenopatija - porikaz dve bolesnice zarazene u Srbiji).
Vojnosanit Pregl 2018; 75(11): 1134-1137.
(https://doi.org.10.2298/VSP161223035G), the author Sonja Prcic has an
additional affiliation: University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Medicine, Novi
Sad, Serbia.

 Link to the corrected article 10.2298/VSP150420083P

 Link to the corrected article 10.2298/VSP161223035G
Effect of Intensive Glycemic and Blood Pressure Control on QT Prolongation in Diabetes: The ACCORD Trial
Authors: Singleton Matthew J. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Bertoni Alain G. , Whalen S. Patrick , Bhave Prashant D. , Yeboah Joseph
Published: July 2020

Compared with standard glycemic control, intensive glycemic control caused increased mortality in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial. Preliminary data from several studies suggest that intensive glycemic control is associated with QT prolongation, which may lead to ventricular arrhythmias as a possible explanation of this increased mortality. We sought to assess the effects of intensive glycemic control and intensive blood pressure control on the risk of incident QT prolongation. Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare the risk of incident QT prolongation (>460 ms in women or >450 ms in men) in the intensive versus standard glycemic control arms. Over a combined 48,634 person-years of follow-up (mean 4.9), 634 participants (6.4%) developed a prolonged QTc. Participants in the intensive glycemic control arm did not have an increased risk of QT prolongation. Similarly, a strategy of intensive blood pressure control did not result in a significant change in risk of prolonged QTc. Sensitivity analyses using alternative QT correction formulas (Hodges and Bazett) yielded overall similar findings. In conclusion, the increased mortality observed in the intensive glycemic control arm in the ACCORD trial is not likely to be explained by QT prolongation leading to lethal ventricular arrhythmias.
Relative Hypoxia and Early Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Vinovskis Carissa , Li Lu-Ping , Prasad Pottumarthi , Tommerdahl Kalie , Pyle Laura , Nelson Robert G. , Pavkov Meda E. , van Raalte Daniel , Rewers Marian , Pragnell Marlon , Mahmud Farid H. , Cherney David Z. , Johnson Richard J. , Nadeau Kristen J. , Bjornstad Petter
Published: July 2020

The objective of this study was to compare the ratio of renal oxygen availability (RO2) to glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a measure of relative renal hypoxia, in adolescents with and without type 1 diabetes (T1D) and relate the ratio to albuminuria, renal plasma flow (RPF), fat mass, and insulin sensitivity (M/I). RO2 was estimated by blood oxygen level–dependent MRI; fat mass was estimated by DXA; GFR and RPF were estimated by iohexol and p-aminohippurate clearance; albuminuria was estimated by urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR); and M/I was estimated from steady-state glucose infusion rate/insulin (mg/kg/min) by hyperglycemic clamp in 50 adolescents with T1D (age 16.1 ± 3.0 years, HbA1c 8.6 ± 1.2%) and 20 control patients of similar BMI (age 16.1 ± 2.9 years, HbA1c 5.2 ± 0.2%). The RO2:GFR (ms/mL/min) was calculated as RO2 (T2*, ms) divided by GFR (mL/min). Whole-kidney RO2:GFR was 25% lower in adolescents with T1D versus control patients (P < 0.0001). In adolescents with T1D, lower whole-kidney RO2:GFR was associated with higher UACR (r = −0.31, P = 0.03), RPF (r = −0.52, P = 0.0009), and fat mass (r = −0.33, P = 0.02). Lower medullary RO2:GFR was associated with lower M/I (r = 0.31, P = 0.03). In conclusion, adolescents with T1D exhibited relative renal hypoxia that was associated with albuminuria and with increased RPF, fat mass, and insulin resistance. These data suggest a potential role of renal hypoxia in the development of diabetic kidney disease.
Circulating metabolites and lipids are associated to diabetic retinopathy in individuals with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Admin Ada , Curovic Viktor Rotbain , Suvitaival Tommi , Mattila Ismo , Ahonen Linda , Trošt Kajetan , Theilade Simone , Hansen Tine W. , Legido-Quigley Cristina , Rossing Peter
Published: July 2020

Omics based methods may provide new markers
associated to diabetic retinopathy (DR). We investigated a wide omics panel of
metabolites and lipids related to DR in type 1 diabetes. Metabolomic analyses
were performed using two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight
mass spectrometry and lipidomic analyses utilizing an ultra-high-performance
liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry method in 648
individuals with type 1 diabetes. Subjects were sub-divided into: no DR, mild
non-proliferative DR (NPDR), moderate NPDR, severe NPDR and proliferative DR.
Endpoints were any progression of DR, onset of DR and progression from mild to
severe DR tracked from standard ambulatory care and investigated using Cox
models. The cohort consisted of 648 participants aged mean 54.4±12.8 years, 55.5%
were male, and follow-up was 5.1-5.5 years. Cross-sectionally, 2,4-dihydroxybutyric
acid (DHBA), 3,4-DHBA, ribonic acid, ribitol, and the triglycerides 50:1 and 50:2
significantly correlated (p<0.042) to DR stage. Longitudinally, higher 3,4-DHBA
was a risk marker for progression of DR (n=133) after adjustment (p=0.033). We
demonstrated multiple metabolites being positively correlated to higher grade
of DR in type 1 diabetes, and several triglycerides being negatively
correlated. Furthermore, higher 3,4-DHBA was an independent risk marker for
progression of DR, however, confirmation is required.
Talking the talk: Navigating frameworks of development communication
Authors: Backhaus Bridget
Published: July 2020

Abstract: Journalism in Melanesia faces many challenges. Journalists strive for independence and objectivity while carefully navigating the needs and demands of communities, fragile states, and increasingly repressive governments. Personal safety is a concern in some places and there seems to be no abate to the growing encroachments on press freedom. There are also more insidious pressures. The influence of the global aid industry means that Melanesian journalists may find themselves under pressure to conform to dominant narratives of development in order to appease donors and training providers. This can result in journalism that paints a misleading picture of the way things are, instead showing donors and international interests what they want to see. This article offers a critical review of the approaches to development communication that may impact on the ways in which Melanesian journalists are able to work within this pervasive development discourse.
Pacific journalism solidarity in the face of overwhelming forces
Authors: Wesley Fred
Published: July 2020

Commentary: The Melanesian Media Freedom Forum (MMFF) notes democracy is in retreat and journalists like Victor Mambor (West Papua), Scott Waide (Papua New Guinea) and Dan McGarry (Vanuatu) are carrying the baton for media freedom. There has been a global reversal for a free press that has spanned countries in every region, including long-standing democracies like the United States and consolidated authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. The pattern has been consistent and ominous.
Scott Waide, Maseratis and EMTV … how a public outcry restored media freedom
Authors: Wesley Fred
Published: July 2020

Commentary: ‘It’s like we are operating in a bubble,’ says EMTV deputy news editor Scott Waide from Papua New Guinea at the Melanesia Media Freedom Forum (MMFF). ‘But when you start reaching out, talking to others in the region, you find that you are not actually alone in this. The experiences are similar. The intensity varies, but the take home for me is that nobody should be alone to handle their problems on their own.’
West Papuan control: How red tape, disinformation and bogus online media disrupts legitimate news sources
Authors: Mambor Victor , Da Costa Sarmento Palagio
Published: July 2020

Indonesia ranks 124th out of 180 countries in the 2019 Global Press Freedom Index, West Papua (meaning the two provinces of Papua and West Papua) as the most closed region to foreign media coverage. There are patterns of threats that implicate the safety and security of local journalists in the territory. A clearing house, an intricate red-tape system, was re-introduced in May 2019 to screen foreign journalists coming to the region of West Papua. Once a permit is granted, security forces supervise the selected journalists during their work in the region. Over the past 10 years, there have been two deaths, multiple assaults, arrests on local journalists and deportations of international journalists. Most of the cases remain open with no clear investigation process. Disinformation using bogus online media disrupts the work of legitimate news sources.  There is no freedom of expression or freedom of information in West Papua.
How Do Intellectual Capital and Islamic Work Ethics Affect SME Business Performance?
Authors: Mat Zin Sakinah , Engku Hassan Ashari Engku Huda Mursyidah
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the effect of intellectual capital (IC) and Islamic Work Ethics (IWE) on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) business performance. Based on a qualitative study, the results provide support to SME entrepreneurs to understand the effects of IC and IWE on business performance and facilitate them in making the right decision. The qualitative results were obtained from documents analysis and interview sessions. For the interview session, three entrepreneurs (regarded as the key informants) provided a deeper understanding on how IC and IWE had managed to influence SME Business Performance. SME entrepreneurs must realise on the need to maintain a competitive advantage and enhance the opportunity to create profitability through extracting value from IC and IWE. The originality of the paper regards the way it addresses simultaneously IC and IWE, such related concepts. Moreover, findings of this study suggest that SME entrepreneurs should extend practices of Islamic work ethics to employees, customers, vendors, partners and the communities by building a positive environment founded on trust and commitment.
Result Tracking-on-Cloud: A Development of Mobile Result Management System
Authors: Foong Ng Set , Yeng Foo Fong , Hwa Chong Peng
Published: July 2020

Assessment results are something private and confidential to most students. One may feel uncomfortable if his or her result is shown publicly. In most academic institutions, students’ results are displayed on a printed paper that contains the assessment of the whole class and the paper is usually posted on the notice board outside of the lecturer’s office. Students need to present personally at the lecturer’s office to check their results. Most of the time, students' names would be hidden on the paper but, students are still able to see each other’s results. Indirectly, the students’ results are not private though the lecturer does not intend to share them. In order to improve the privacy level of result management, a mobile application was programmed. This mobile application is an innovative tool that embedding the use of technology to assist students and educators in this era of Industrial Revolution 4.0. In this paper, the proposed mobile application/ app named as Result Tracking-on-Cloud (RTC) was presented. The users concluded that it is energy and time saving as they can check their results without present physically to the lecturer's office. At the same time, the privacy of students' result is secured.
The Influence of Higher Learning Environment and Role Model towards an Entrepreneurial Intention among TVET Students
Authors: Roslan Rifhan , Misnan Nur Iliza , Musa Dzulkarnain
Published: July 2020

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) field is part of the drive for national development. With the circumstances, the TVET institutions have taken steps towards creating future entrepreneurs as well as contributing to high-skilled employment. Thus, the study was conducted to examine several factors related to higher learning environment and role model as well as their relationship with entrepreneurship intentions among TVET students. The study was hypothesized and tested using three dimensions of TVET higher learning environment (entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurship activities and teaching and learning methods) and role model factors that influence students' entrepreneurial intention. The results from correlation analysis found that there was a relationship between all the independent variables; entrepreneurship activities, role models, entrepreneurship education and teaching and learning methods with entrepreneurial intentions. The overall results of the study act as an enlightenment for related parties in developing future entrepreneurship society for the development of the country.
DISCOURS ET CONFLITS : LA CONSTRUCTION DE L’ARGUMENTATION DES ANTAGONISMES SOCIAUX AU CAMEROUN
Authors: KAKDEU Louis-Marie
Published: July 2020

Discourses and Conflicts: The Construction of the Argument of Social Antagonisms in Cameroon. This article answers the question of how social antagonisms are constructed in political discourse in Cameroon. He studies the types of arguments that emerge from the Discourse/Conflict dichotomy, and adopts a populist perspective that manifests in the articulation of meaning and identity (the We and the Not-We). By relying on three methods of data collection (participant observation, documentation and qualitative interview), it arrives at the result that the positioning of political opponents is materialized by the propensity to propel the articulation of their social identity.
RABELAIS, CE FRENCH DOCTOR. LES MÉDECINS-DIPLOMATES : UNE SINGULARITÉ FRANÇAISE
Authors: BAVOUSET Benoit
Published: July 2020

Rabelais, This French Doctor. Doctors-Diplomats: A French Singularity. The French doctors have gradually invested in the field of French diplomacy for 30 years in key positions: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador, director of the Crisis and Support Center. How did these doctors, coming from the humanitarian sector, succeed in making their way in a world as codified as diplomacy, what are their contributions, what are the challenges of this evolution and what filiation connects Rabelais, precursor of the realistic and satirical roman, diplomat-doctor in Rome in the XVIth century, to Bernard Kouchner, a person in the national media spotlight, Minister for Foreign Affairs (2007-2010), under the presidency of Nicolas Sarkozy?
Russian Fate of the Poem by Robert Burns «Who is that at my bower-door?..»
Authors: Futljaev Nikita S. , Zhatkin Dmitry N.
Published: July 2020

The Russian translation reception of Robert Burns's poem “Who is that at my bower-door?..” (1783) is for the first time considered in the article. It is emphasized that the comic work did not attract the attention of Russian translators until 1862, when the unsatisfactory interpretation of V. D. Kostomarov, deprived of the emotionality of the English original, came out. The results of the analysis of translations of the poem created by M. N. Shelgunov (1879), T. L. Shchepkina-Kupernik (publ. 1936), S. Ya. Marshak (1939), S. Sapozhnikov (publ. 2014), E. D. Feldman (2017), A. V. Krotkov (publ. 2018) are presented. The perception of Burns’ work in Russian literary criticism and literary criticism is comprehended. In particular, numerous reviews and studies are analyzed (A. T. Twardowski, K. I. Chukovsky, E. G. Etkind, T. B. Liokumovich, R. Ya. Wright-Kovaleva, A. Bobyleva), caused by S. Ya. Marshak translation, who, despite all his liberties, preserved the atmosphere of a lively conversation between two people, and emphasized their intonational, emotional and gender differences. It is noted that, having entered into a polemic with S. Ya. Marshak, who made Burns unnecessarily classic and stylistically “smooth”, modern translators created interpretations in the spirit of courteous poetry, largely devoid of the aesthetics of the original, its unique melody.
Oil Industry of USSR in Late 1920s - 1930s: Conflicting Development Results
Authors: Bodrova Elena V. , Kalinov Vyacheslav V.
Published: July 2020

The relevance of the study is due to the critical importance for the country of technological breakthrough, overcoming the inhibition of modernization processes. The novelty of the study is in the fact that on the basis of published and declassified archival documents, the problem of implementing the development plans for the oil industry in the years of the first five-year plans is investigated, factors that determine their failure are identified. As the main reasons, based on the results of the analysis of documentary data, serious strategic miscalculations in planning, the elimination of a whole cohort of brilliant oil workers were identified. The studied documents and materials made it possible to formulate the conclusion that large-scale plans were not fully supported by financial, human, technological resources. It is proved that this caused a disproportion between the growth of the national economy and the country's fuel balance. Particular attention is paid to the serious miscalculations of the Soviet government regarding the creation of an oil base in the east of the country. It is proved that, despite the recommendations of prominent scientists, only in the late 1930s the course changed, the realization of the need to search and develop new deposits in the Ural-Volga region came. It is concluded that as a result, by 1941, this oil-bearing region was not sufficiently mastered, but the foundation of “Second Baku” was laid.
Islamic finance in Uzbekistan
Authors: Nagimova A.Z.
Published: July 2020

Subject. The article discusses all economic relations that emerge from cash flows invested under Islamic finance principles in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Objectives. The study is intended to determine the tendency and difficulties in the Islamic finance market of Uzbekistan. I examine the specifics of investment strategies Islamic investors choose to apply to the Republic of Uzbekistan. Methods. I collected and analyzed vast empirical data on Islamic finance deals closed within 1991 through 2020 in Uzbekistan. Primarily, I used ZEPHYR and ORBIS (Bureau van Dijk) databases, which were significantly enriched through the content analysis of publicly available mass media and corporate data (press releases, presentations, annual reports, management interviews, etc.) and related transactions. Results. I classified investors that put up their capital under the principles of Islamic finance. The article also describes distinctions of investment strategies Islamic investors follow in Uzbekistan. I determined the mix and specifics of Islamic investment in the republic. Conclusions and Relevance. I quantified and evaluated the supply of the Islamic finance in Uzbekistan by the number of completed deals. The article outlines the future of the Islamic finance market and difficulties impeding the influx of Islamic capital into Uzbekistan. The study considerably contributes to proceedings on the role of Islamic finance throughout the Post-Soviet area. The findings can be used by ministries and agencies to raise investment, managers of banks and development institutions, investment and lease companies, direct and venture investment foundations, and financial and industrial groups that seek to raise or deposit capital in accordance with the Islamic finance principles.
Factors influencing the structure of the Russian companies' capital
Authors: Likhacheva O.N. , Belikevich A.S.
Published: July 2020

Subject. In the uncertain market environment, the optimal structure of capital is getting more important because it influences the competitiveness of a firm, its financial sustainability and solvency and, consequently, a success. Herein we dwell upon the hypothesis presuming the existence of capital structure determinants.
Objectives. We review empirical studies on the subject, analyze determinants of the Russian companies’ capital structure.
Methods. The study is based on the systems approach and methods of statistical analysis.
Results. It is necessary to monitor how capital is shaped and formed. We investigated proceedings on factors influencing the capital structure and discovered relevant hypotheses, carrying out the correlation analysis of such factors.
Conclusions and Relevance. It is especially important to examine factors influencing the capital structure, and find the appropriate format for the economy struggling through the crisis. The coronavirus pandemic unavoidably reshapes the global economic landscape, which has already been under the pressure of deglobalization processes (trade wars, repudiation of oil contracts). The correlation analysis did not reveal any relationship of the variables in question (the company’s age, ROE, ROA, MOEX, key rate, GDP, PPI) and the capital structure. Further research should be devoted to other factors and consider the unreasonableness and psychological background of managers’ behavior who make decisions concerning the capital structure.
Identity in the age of social networks and digitalisation
Authors: Fiebig Daniele
Published: July 2020

There is increasing pressure in public administration to expand eGovernment offerings and to use other digital technologies in order to offer services in a more transparent and citizen-friendly manner. The law to improve online access to administrative services (Onlinezugangsgesetz - OZG) obliges the federal, state and local governments to realize more administrative services digitally by the end of 2022.
Electronic services require user registrations and the creation of electronic identities for users.
Considerations of efficient and secure user registration, recognition and transparent presentation of activities and transactions are desirable and necessary. For example, applications must be legally assignable to an applicant.
In public administration, security, availability and authenticity play a major role alongside other security objectives. In the analogous area, activities and decisions can be verified by means of forms, applications and signatures. This proof must be preserved during digitisation. Therefore, digital identities and data security must be given attention when planning new eServices and web offers.
Furthermore, the factor of resource scarcity plays an important role in such considerations. Internally, new ways of collaboration, information exchange and knowledge management must be tested in order to cope with increasing demands and to maintain or improve employee motivation despite increasing workloads.
This article analyses current technologies and their transferability to public administration applications.
How is ICT shaping the refugee governance landscape in transitional Bangladesh?
Authors: Hossain A.N.M. Zakir
Published: July 2020

The information communication technology (ICT) has a great impact in shaping life and responses. The current century is running with the rampage of cutting edge technologies that compose our everyday life while the expansion of ICT allows us to make our life meaningful. The most significant challenges in transition are to coping with the changes that even happen all of a sudden i.e., about one million refugee influx in Bangladesh in 2018. Nowadays people recognized ICT as a decisive and inseparable part of them that constructs a new fashion of modern democratic governance. Though ICT is crucial in representative governance but now it inflates both the magnitude and persuade. The study tries to treat them embedded in the governance nexus and connected to each other. The present study focuses on the nexus between ICT and refugee management which shaped the refugee governance landscape in transitional Bangladesh. The endeavor of the study is to answer the questions n how ICT and administration act and react with each other on the refugee governance issues and how it indicates the future role of administration in refugee management and resettlement. The study followed the content analysis method and primarily based on secondary sources of data to reach the inferences. The results found ICT as a comprehensive platform that includes the different stakeholders and emphasized the trade-off between them which in our case Rohingya refugees governance. It provides geo-localized support for them and specific aid during the adverse situation. It is also found that it helps the administration to identify the synchronized ideas of people that coordinate their actions to produce services for the people. The study concludes by arguing for the management and wrapping of multidimensional data through the observatory mechanism that could likely develop their life and incentives required for the administration to act in support of the governance and resettlement of refugees in the future.
Regulatory approaches to social media
Authors: Bartóki-Gönczy Balázs
Published: July 2020

Social media platforms are mainly characterised by private regulation.2 However, their direct and indirect impact on society has become such (fake news, hate speech, incitement to terrorism, data protection breaches, impact on the viability of professional journalism) that private regulatory mechanisms in place (often opaque and not transparent) seem to be inadequate. In my presentation, I would first address the problem of legal classification of these services (media service provider vs. intermediary service provider), since the answer to this question is a prerequisite for any state intervention. I would then present the regulatory initiatives (with a critical approach) at EU and national level which might shape the future of ’social media platform’ regulation.
Evaluation of business models of urban IoT-applications for a medium sized city
Authors: Fischer Ferdinand , Schenk Birgit
Published: July 2020

Digitalization of the public sector is being driven by a number of factors. In particular, the concept of "Smart Cities" has become an important driver of this development. This relies heavily on an intelligent infrastructure including the Internet of Things (IoT). But does it make sense for small and medium-sized municipalities to develop this? Is it justified to invest in IoT? (How) can a mediumsized city benefit from it? This paper presents the application of an evaluation scheme for business models of urban IoT applications to answer these questions. The research question focuses on how best practices of urban IoT applications in general and in particular can be evaluated. In order to establish a concrete practical reference we evaluated ten chosen IoT applications for the German city of Herrenberg.
Social media as the platform for political mobilization: case study of Kazakhstan
Authors: Kalkamanova Assem
Published: July 2020

This paper focuses on the role of social media in the rise of the protest movements and political mobilization in Kazakhstan. The country has been seeing an increase in the social networks based civil activists since recently. I argue that the emergence of the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan that operates only within the realm of social media platforms promoted political activism and civil protests in the country. Most importantly, I argue that in contrast to the conclusions of the Kazakhstani court’s decision in March 2018, the movement leader’s Facebook blog reveals no violence either towards the government or some specific political elite. Using text mining methods, I analyzed the texts of his Facebook posts from the announcement date in 2017 till the end of 2019: the rhetoric of the position of the Democratic Choice is informational, first, and protest calling, second. Also, the analysis of seven most popular political Youtube bloggers shows that the people’s discontent with injustices and undemocratic polity manifested in the poignant interest towards the creator of this system, Mr. Nazarbayev and his closest circle. The SMM software allowed to find out the areas of Kazakhstani politics that are of most interest to the audience of Kazakhstani political activists.