bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Case Study Analysis on Agri-Food Value Chain: A Guideline-Based Approach
Authors: Akyüz Yarkın , Salali Havva Ece , Atakan Pelin , Günden Cihat , Yercan Murat , Lamprinakis Lampros , Kårstad Signe , Solovieva Irina , Kasperczyk Nadja , Mattas Konstadinos , Lazaridou Dimitra , Yener Gizem , Alayidi Ahmed , Kunchulia Ilia , Basilidze Lado , Knez Marija
Published: April 2023

This study aims to identify the methods and associated indicators that are commonly used in value chain analyses (VCA) and to determine the areas of interest that have been excluded. Value chain analysis generally includes four different dimensions, which are institutional/functional, economic/financial, social, and environmental. This study has two main sources of literature. The first is the guidelines and the other is case studies on value chain analysis. The case study review is limited by the time between 2000 and 2022. The results showed that the researchers mainly focused on the institutional/functional analysis of the value chain, which is the first step of the analysis. Studies were mostly concentrated on the mapping of value chains, which includes the mapping of agents, core activities, and the marketing channels and flows of products. The second important area of interest is economic/financial analysis. Value added analysis is a top research area on the economical side of the value chain (VC). Consumer behavior and financial analysis are also included in the case studies. The research on consumer behavior of the value chain analysis has focused on the preferences, attitudes, and behaviors of the consumers. Financial analysis is another area of interest which generally concentrates on the cost of intermediate inputs, total output value, net present value, internal rate of return, cash flows and cost of fixed assets, and break-even point. The social and environmental sides of the value chain have been studied with less attention. This is much more important for a sustainable food VC.
Relationship between Diversification, Institutional Environment and Growth: A Study of Agricultural Companies in China
Authors: Zuo Haixia , Li Wanming , Alam Syed Shah
Published: April 2023

China’s economic growth has been heavily driven by its agriculture-related industries. This growth has been attributed to several factors, including government policies, technological advancements, and changing consumer preferences. This research aims to shed light on the underlying mechanisms that have enabled agriculture-related listed companies to thrive in China’s rapidly evolving economic landscape. Specifically, this study examines the role of the institutional environment, diversification strategy, and Confucian culture in the growth of these companies. Based on the institutional basic view theory, transaction cost theory, principal–agent theory, brand theory, and enterprise growth theory, this study uses empirical research to analyse the diversification strategy and growth of 204 agriculture-related listed companies from 2010 to 2019. The study selected companies listed as Class A in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery with complete data and more than three years of history. The selection also covered those whose income from agriculture accounted for more than 50% of the total in 2021, or those with the highest income related to agriculture accounting for over 30% of the total income. The collected data is analysed with SPSS and Stata. The results showed that the formal institutional environment significantly suppresses the diversification strategy of agriculture-related listed companies, while the Confucian culture in the informal institutional environment significantly promotes it. The interaction between the formal and informal institutional environments has a complementary effect on the choice of diversification strategy. The study also finds that diversification strategy significantly suppresses the growth of agriculture-related listed companies, and the formal institutional environment has a more significant inhibitory effect on the diversification strategy of agriculture-related listed companies. In the informal institutional environment, Confucian culture plays a more significant role in promoting the diversification strategy of agriculture-related listed companies. The output of this study is an empirical investigation of the level of institutional setting and diversity production, which could aid in sustainable development and revitalisation of rural communities. Applying the results of this study could help managers anticipate future policy changes and adjust their strategies accordingly, while also assisting companies in developing new products and services that meet changing demand.
How to Deal with Crisis? Place Attachment as a Factor of Resilience of Urban–Rural Communes in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Guzal-Dec Danuta Jolanta , Zwolińska-Ligaj Magdalena Anna
Published: April 2023

The phenomenon of place attachment as a community resilience determinant requires a detailed study and, as such, is not sufficiently explored in the literature. This study analyses both resilience determinants and resilience tools in order to provide local communities with optimum courses of action and decision makers with postulates concerning local development policies. Our goal is to determine the effect of place attachment on the activity of the local community in the process of the reconstruction of a local territorial unit following a crisis (COVID-19 pandemic) situation, as well as determine the symptoms of the crisis exemplified by urban–rural communes in Poland. Empirical research was carried out with regard to all 87 urban–rural communes in Poland with their seat in a small city with district rights. The respondents in the survey included individuals in governance positions: mayor/deputy mayor/secretary. Comparative analyses were performed on the entire group by juxtaposing communes located in peripheral regions (19 units) of the Eastern Poland Macroregion and the remaining communes (68). In light of the empirical research, communes located in Eastern Poland’s peripheral regions were more severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis than ones situated elsewhere in Poland. In urban–rural communes located in peripheral regions, actions supporting the “ability to absorb” shocks are taken more frequently than those promoting “positive adaptability in anticipation of, or in response to, shocks”. Less frequent were proactive measures of innovative nature, involving “restoration and use” of the existing local resources, e.g., new methods of the use of natural resources by the households or new activities in the creative industry based on individual creativity, skills and talents. An analysis of all units reveals a generally low level of pro-resilience activities of the local communities in the communes investigated in the study except for the application of modern technologies/forms of remote communication. It was demonstrated that, in local communities with a high level of place attachment, activities aimed at building resilience are more frequent. For local governments, the results constitute proof of the importance of place attachment in building community resilience in local development policies. We should highlight the need for activities integrating urban and rural residents in urban–rural communes in order to create a shared space with which they could identify while strengthening bonds, thus raising the level of social capital. It is also necessary to look for ways to use IT, not only for communication processes, but also for managing crisis situations, in parallel with activities aimed at strengthening social capital.
Indoor Particulate Matter Transfer in CNC Machining Workshop and The Influence of Ventilation Strategies—A Case Study
Authors: Yao Huimin , Qiu Shanshan , Lv Yuling , Wei Shen , Li Ang , Long Zhengwei , Wu Wentao , Shen Xiong
Published: April 2023

Particulate matter in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining workshop is harmful to workers’ health. This paper studies particulate matter transfer and the performance of various ventilation strategies in a CNC machining workshop. To obtain the boundary condition of the particle field, instruments were installed to obtain the particle size attenuation characteristics and source strength, respectively. The results show that the 99% cumulative mass concentration of particles is distributed within 1.5 μm, and the release rate of particles from the full enclosure. Next, the indoor flow field and particle field were simulated by numerical simulation with the measured boundary conditions. The working area’s age of air, particle concentration, and ventilation efficiency were compared between four displacement ventilation methods and one mixed ventilation method. The results show that the working area’s mean particle concentration and ventilation efficiency under longitudinal displacement ventilation is better than other methods. At the same time, the mean age of air is slightly worse. In addition, mixed ventilation can obtain lower mean age of air, but the particle concentration is higher in the working area. The bilateral longitudinal ventilation can be improved by placing axial circulation fans with vertical upward outlets in the center of the workshop.
Effects of Salt Stress on Growth, Proline and Mineral Content in Native Desert Species
Authors: Suleiman Majda Khalil , Bhatt Arvind , Madouh Tareq A. , Islam M. Anisul , Jacob Sheena , Thomas Rini Rachel , Sivadasan Mini Thiruthath
Published: April 2023

Implementing large-scale restoration programs requires in-depth understanding about the salinity tolerance of native species, especially in the Arabian Peninsula where salinity is one of the most serious problems. Seedlings of four native species, namely Vachillea pachyceras, Haloxylon salicornicum, Rhanterium epapposum, and Farsetia aegyptia, were subjected to different salinity treatments (1.6 (control), 3, 5, 7, and 10 dS/m). Survival, growth performance, biomass and proline accumulation were assessed after six months of salinity exposure. Different mineral concentrations in the shoot and root tissues were assessed before and after the salinity exposure. Our results showed that salinity influenced the growth parameters, enhanced proline accumulation and changed the contents of essential elements. However, the effects of salinity stress on the growth and other parameters were largely species-specific. Proline accumulation increased with an increase in the salinity level in all the species. However, the mineral content in the root and shoot tissues showed variation, depending on the species and the level of salinity stress. Overall. H. salicornicum appeared to be the most tolerant species, as its seedling survival (100% at EC 10), and root and shoot biomass were impacted minimally; meanwhile, F. aegyptia (16.7% seedling survival at EC 10) appeared to be highly sensitive to the salinity. Data generated from this study will be helpful in screening the suitable species according to their salinity tolerance in salt-affected areas.
Modelling Stakeholders’ Knowledge and Perception in a Fuzzy Cognitive Map: The Case of the Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Value Chain in Central Italy
Authors: Pisanelli Andrea , Consalvo Claudia , Russo Giuseppe , Ciolfi Marco , Lauteri Marco , Paris Pierluigi
Published: April 2023

Italy is the second largest extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) producer within the European Union. Despite its importance in preserving rural landscape and in supporting household economy, the EVOO sector faces several constraints due to high management costs, small farm size, lack of cooperation and investment, production vulnerability, and farmers’ ageing. Such a number of weak points suggests the need to identify and adopt innovative approaches, at both the farm and oil mill levels. In order to address these priorities, a fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) survey was carried out in Umbria region, central Italy, involving key local stakeholders of the EVOO value chain in the Orvieto district. Based on stakeholders’ perception and knowledge, this paper aims to identify and evaluate the most relevant components of the local olive oil value chain, and predict scenarios responding to hypothetical changes of the same components. These stakeholders were firstly invited to each build an individual fuzzy cognitive map and then, grouped all together, build a joint fuzzy cognitive map. Finally, the maps represented both the individual and the grouped stakeholders’ perceptions. The maps were translated into adjacency matrices in order to create an FCM model by applying the software “Mental Modeler”. In total, 24 participants, including practitioners, multipliers, researchers, suppliers and members of local administration, participated in the survey. The component analysis and the scenario analysis highlighted several priority issues: to preserve the ecosystem functioning, to implement cooperation, innovation and education, to adapt and mitigate climate change. The main novelty of this study is that all stakeholders’ categories in the EVOO sector recognize several challenges to sustain the EVOO value chain, in particular, climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Brand Activism for Sustainable Development Goals: A Comparative Analysis in the Beauty and Personal Care Industry
Authors: Confetto Maria Giovanna , Palazzo Maria , Ferri Maria Antonella , Normando Mara
Published: April 2023

National policymakers are now faced with the challenge of implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving the scopes envisioned through its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) worldwide. Diversity discrimination and social inequalities often responsible for sociopolitical uncertainty are at the heart of the agenda. Increasingly, corporations are pushed to take a public stance on controversial issues, promoting social improvements through their power to lead social change. This phenomenon is known in the academic literature as brand activism (BA). Many companies, for example, are exposing themselves to the need to cope with the equality gap that still exists on aspects such as gender, race and age, especially those operating in the beauty and personal care industry. The purpose of this paper is to explore how BA is being used as a driver for equality and inclusion, supporting the achievement of the related SDGs 5 and 10. Through a comparative analysis of the two inclusive brands Dove and L’Oréal, this study aims to capture BA under different corporate strategies in terms of stated values, initiatives and digital communication. Both theoretical and managerial perspectives are offered in the study, which emphasizes that different activist approaches can be successful, provided strong and consistent values are adhered to. The findings of this research show that although the two brands use different activist approaches, one more communicative and the other less so, both are successful because they reflect authentic and consistent values that are considered positively by consumers. Therefore, the study questions the dominant view that BA authenticity is linked to marketing, placing greater emphasis on prosocial corporate practices over communication.
Traversable Wormhole in f(Q) Gravity Using Conformal Symmetry
Authors: Jan Munsif , Ashraf Asifa , Basit Abdul , Caliskan Aylin , Güdekli Ertan
Published: April 2023

In the current study, we investigate the possible existence of new wormhole solutions within f(Q) gravity by using the conformal symmetry, where Q is a non-metricity scalar. Modified versions of field equations within the scope of conformal symmetry with an anisotropic source of matter are calculated using the variational approach. We consider two distinct approaches, namely the linear equation of state and traceless fluid, in order to determine the exact form of the shape function for wormhole geometry. In the context of the f(Q) modified theory of gravity, we present a set of exact solutions for describing the existence of a relativistic wormhole. Further, the presence of dark matter is checked through make a use of energy conditions. In conclusion, it is interesting to mention that the presence of exotic matter is confirmed for both approaches, such as linear equation of state and traceless fluid.
Electron Microscopy Study of Structural Defects Formed in Additively Manufactured AlSi10Mg Alloy Processed by Equal Channel Angular Pressing
Authors: Snopiński Przemysław
Published: April 2023

This study focused on electron microscopy studies of microstructural defects formed in an additively manufactured (AM) AlSi10Mg alloy as a result of post-deformation by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP), with the aim of elucidating the fundamental deformation mechanisms that govern the plasticity of both the aluminium matrix and the silicon phase. This article focused on the process of grain refinement, metastable phase transformations, and microstructural defects such as stacking faults or amorphous areas that severely disrupt the face-centred cubic (FCC) crystal lattice symmetry. The findings presented in this study imply that deformation twinning, phase transformation, and amorphization are not mutually exclusive modes of Si phase deformation. Both can occur at an ECAP temperature of 150 °C. At a deformation temperature of 100 °C, amorphization is the dominant deformation mode of the Si phase. It was also discovered that dislocation slip was the predominant deformation mode of Al matrix at 150 °C, while at 100 °C, additionally stacking faults were formed within the Al matrix. The present findings provide not only a fundamental understanding of the deformation micro-mechanism of the SLMed AlSi10Mg alloy but also open a new horizon for the development of the next generation of structural materials.
Towards a Dynamic Compartmental Model of a Lamellar Settler
Authors: Karches Tamás
Published: April 2023

Lamellar settlers are widely used in solid separation due to their relative high surface area paired with a small tank volume. Settlers exposed to high load variations may change their settling properties based on the variation of the flow pattern. Applying the critical point theory and coherent structure concept, a flow topology analysis was performed with the help of computational fluid dynamic simulations. The compartments were determined by the fluid flow, and the dynamic behavior of the compartments was taken into account. Under normal diurnal load variation, the architecture of the compartments did not change, in contrast to the mass transport between the zones, whereas the sludge removal process made significant changes in the architecture. The results showed two main flow zones with significant internal recirculation in the first zone. The hydraulic surface loading was examined in each zone, and the study revealed that the actual hydraulic load could be from 1.5 to 4.5 times much higher than that in individual zones due to recirculation eddies in the reactor tanks. The design hydraulic loading rate did not consider the local flow pattern. The discrete phase model approximation provided acceptable results, and the extent of the recirculation zone changed stepwise with different loads.
Evaluating COVID-19-Related Disruptions to Effective Malaria Case Management in 2020–2021 and Its Potential Effects on Malaria Burden in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Dzianach Paulina A. , Rumisha Susan F. , Lubinda Jailos , Saddler Adam , van den Berg Mauricio , Gelaw Yalemzewod A. , Harris Joseph R. , Browne Annie J. , Sanna Francesca , Rozier Jennifer A. , Galatas Beatriz , Anderson Laura F. , Vargas-Ruiz Camilo A. , Cameron Ewan , Gething Peter W. , Weiss Daniel J.
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to far-reaching disruptions to health systems, including preventative and curative services for malaria. The aim of this study was to estimate the magnitude of disruptions in malaria case management in sub-Saharan Africa and their impact on malaria burden during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used survey data collected by the World Health Organization, in which individual country stakeholders reported on the extent of disruptions to malaria diagnosis and treatment. The relative disruption values were then applied to estimates of antimalarial treatment rates and used as inputs to an established spatiotemporal Bayesian geostatistical framework to generate annual malaria burden estimates with case management disruptions. This enabled an estimation of the additional malaria burden attributable to pandemic-related impacts on treatment rates in 2020 and 2021. Our analysis found that disruptions in access to antimalarial treatment in sub-Saharan Africa likely resulted in approximately 5.9 (4.4–7.2 95% CI) million more malaria cases and 76 (20–132) thousand additional deaths in the 2020–2021 period within the study region, equivalent to approximately 1.2% (0.3–2.1 95% CI) greater clinical incidence of malaria and 8.1% (2.1–14.1 95% CI) greater malaria mortality than expected in the absence of the disruptions to malaria case management. The available evidence suggests that access to antimalarials was disrupted to a significant degree and should be considered an area of focus to avoid further escalations in malaria morbidity and mortality. The results from this analysis were used to estimate cases and deaths in the World Malaria Report 2022 during the pandemic years.
Spatio-Temporal Study on Irrigation Guarantee Capacity in the Northwest Arid Region of China
Authors: Zhao Xue , Tao Wanghai , Su Lijun , Sun Yan , Qu Zhi , Mu Weiyi , Ma Changkun , Shan Yuyang
Published: April 2023

Irrigation guarantee capacity is the critical factor in evaluating the development level of irrigated agriculture and is also a future development trend. It is necessary to carry out scientific planning and reasonable allocation of irrigation water resources to ensure the sustainable development of irrigated agriculture and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of water resource utilization. This study is based on remote sensing meteorological data and the principles of the Miami model and water balance. We calculated the annual irrigation water requirement and effective irrigation water, and used the ratio between the effective irrigation water and irrigation water requirement as the basis for evaluating an irrigation guarantee capability index. By using irrigation guarantee capability evaluation indicators from multiple years, we evaluated and assessed the irrigation guarantee capability in the arid region of northwest China. In addition, we analyzed three indicators (i.e., irrigation water requirement IWR, effective irrigation water EIW, and irrigation guarantee capacity index IGCI) to explore the rational allocation of water resources in the northwest arid area. IWR, EIW, and ICGI in northwest China from 2001 to 2020 were analyzed, and the average values were 379.32 mm, 171.29 mm, and 0.50, respectively. Simultaneously, an analysis was conducted on the temporal and spatial distribution of IWR, EIW, and IGCI in the northwest region of China from 2001 to 2020. The results indicated that the rainfall in the southwestern edge of the Yellow River Basin and the eastern part of the Qaidam Basin could meet the irrigation water demand. The northwest edge of the Yellow River Basin, the central Hexi Inland River Basin, most of Northeast Xinjiang, central and southeastern Xinjiang, and other regions mainly rely on irrigation to meet agricultural water requirements. The rest of the region needs to rely on irrigation for supplementary irrigation to increase crop yield. All districts in the ‘Three Water Lines’ area of northwest China should vigorously develop sprinkler irrigation, micro-irrigation, pipe irrigation, and other irrigation water-saving technologies and support engineering construction. Under the premise of ensuring national food security, they should reduce the planting area of rice, corn, and orchards, and increase the planting area of economic crops such as beans and tubers in the ’Three Water Lines’ area. That is conducive to further reducing the agricultural irrigation quota and improving the matching degree of irrigation water resources. It provides a scientific reference for optimizing water resource allocation and improving irrigation water-use efficiency in northwest arid areas.
Sediment Dynamics in Coastal and Marine Environments: Scientific Advances
Authors: Feng Xuezhi , Zhu Chaoqi , Liu J. Paul , Jia Yonggang
Published: April 2023

Sediment dynamics describe the processes of the formation, distribution, and movement of sediments [...]
Sequential Anaerobic/Aerobic Microbial Transformation of Chlorinated Ethenes: Use of Sustainable Approaches for Aquifer Decontamination
Authors: Bertolini Martina , Zecchin Sarah , Cavalca Lucia
Published: April 2023

Chlorinated ethene contamination is a worldwide relevant health issue. In anaerobic aquifers, highly chlorinated ethenes are transformed by microbially-mediated organohalide respiration metabolism. For this reason, in the last few years, bioremediation interventions have been developed and employed in situ for aquifer decontamination. Biostimulation has been demonstrated to be efficient in enhancing organohalide respiration activity. The use of agrifood wastes that replace engineered substrates as biostimulants permits the low carbon impact of bioremediation treatment as part of a circular economy approach. The present work depicts the effects of available bio-based substrates and discusses their efficiency and impact on microbial communities when applied to contaminated aquifers. As a drawback of anaerobic organohalide respiration, there is the accumulation of more toxic lower-chlorinated ethenes. However, compounds such as dichloroethene (DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) can be mineralized by metabolic and co-metabolic pathways in aerobic conditions. For this reason, sequential anaerobic/aerobic treatments proposed to stimulate the natural biotransformation activity can achieve complete degradation of chlorinated ethenes. The aim of this work is to provide an up-to-date revision of anaerobic/aerobic microbial transformation pathways towards chlorinated ethenes and to discuss their application in real scenarios and futurable microbial bioelectrochemical systems to remediate contaminated aquifers.
Numerical Simulation of Frost Heave Deformation of Concrete-Lined Canal Considering Thermal-Hydro-Mechanical Coupling Effect
Authors: Teng Renjie , Gu Xin , Xia Xiaozhou , Zhang Qing
Published: April 2023

This work presents a comprehensive coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical model to explore the frost heave mechanism of the concrete-lined canal under a freeze–thaw environment. Unlike previous models that regard concrete as a homogeneous material, this model considers concrete a porous medium and considers the effect of the concrete pore structure, as well as the water content, ice content, and ice-water phase transition, on the mechanical deformation of the canal. Firstly, based on the theories of unsaturated soil mechanics, thermodynamics, and poroelasticity, the thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling equations of the soil under the freeze–thaw condition are established. Then, based on the theories of thermodynamics, poroelasticity, and permeability mechanics of porous media, the thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling equations of the concrete under the freeze–thaw condition are established. Finally, the freeze–thaw simulation of a canal is carried out and compared with the referred indoor model test, in which the evolution behavior of temperature, frost depth, and frost heave deformation of the canal are studied. The results show that the freezing process of the soil foundation is a unidirectional process that develops from the surface to the bottom, and the thawing process of the soil foundation is a bidirectional process that thaws from the surface and bottom to the center. The frost heave deformation of the soil foundation at the 1/2~1/3 slope height area is the largest, which may easily lead to frost heave damage to the concrete lining in this area. The frost heave deformation of the canal obtained by the numerical simulation is consistent with the experimental results, which illustrates the validity of the established model for predicting the frost heave deformation of concrete-lined canals.
Value Chain Analysis of Rice Industry by Products in a Circular Economy Context: A Review
Authors: Illankoon W. A. M. A. N. , Milanese Chiara , Collivignarelli Maria Cristina , Sorlini Sabrina
Published: April 2023

The quantity of organic waste generated by agricultural sectors is continually increasing due to population growth and rising food demand. Rice is the primary consumable food in Asia. However, many stakeholders follow a linear economic model such as the “take–make–waste” concept. This linear model leads to a substantial environmental burden and the destruction of valuable resources without gaining their actual value. Because these by-products can be converted into energy generating and storage materials, and into bio-based products by cascading transformation processes within the circular economy concept, waste should be considered a central material. This review examines the composition of rice straw, bran, and husks, and the procedures involved in manufacturing value-added goods, from these wastes. Moreover, starting with an extensive literature analysis on the rice value chains, this work systematizes and displays a variety of strategies for using these by-products. The future development of agricultural waste management is desirable to capitalize on the multi-functional product by circulating all the by-products in the economy. According to the analysis of relevant research, rice straw has considerable potential as a renewable energy source. However, there is a significant research gap in using rice bran as an energy storage material. Additionally, modified rice husk has increased its promise as an adsorbent in the bio-based water treatment industry. Furthermore, the case study of Sri Lanka revealed that developing countries have a huge potential to value these by-products in various sectors of the economy. Finally, this paper provides suggestions for researchers and policymakers to improve the current agriculture waste management system with the best option and integrated approach for economic sustainability and eco- and environmental solution, considering some case studies to develop sustainable waste management processes.
La Importancia de las Visitas en las cárceles chilenas: consideraciones empíricas y normativas pre-Covid
Authors: Sanhueza Guillermo , Castro Álvaro
Published: April 2023

Según los instrumentos de soft law (por ejemplo, las "Reglas Mandela"), las visitas constituyen un importante derecho humano de los encarcelados. Además, la investigación ha encontrado que tanto la cantidad como la calidad de las visitas son importantes para los reclusos y la sociedad. A pesar de su importancia, la visita a las prisiones en América Latina ha sido poco estudiada. Este artículo, utilizando estimaciones de la Primera Encuesta sobre la Vida en las Prisiones, ofrece la primera cuenta sistemática nacional anterior a la COVID-19 sobre las visitas a las cárceles. Nuestros hallazgos revelan que el 20% de los reclusos no tenían visitas; las instalaciones públicas fueron visitadas con más frecuencia; El 25% de los visitantes reportaron haber sido maltratados, entre otros. Los análisis multivariados revelaron que el trato deficiente de los visitantes está relacionado con los niveles de maltrato institucional dentro de la instalación combinados con una infraestructura deficiente.
Changes in consumption behavior in Mexico in relation to exercise, mental health and diet during the COVID-19 confinement
Authors: Fischer Laura , Larios-Gomez Emigdio
Published: April 2023

The impact of COVID-19 was felt immediately, due to the widespread lockdown and social distancing measures taken by all governments globally; manifesting different attitudes taken by people during confinement, the research aims to know if there are differences in the behavior of Mexican men and women specifically in relation to psychological factors such as exercise and mental health and cultural factors specifically regarding the diet that people had during a period of confinement due to COVID-19. A descriptive research was carried out with a quantitative approach, to a sample of 1007 subjects nationwide, 64% women and 36% men. Data analysis was done using the SPSS version 25 statistical package. For the descriptive analysis, each of the attitudinal phrases of the instrument that were evaluated under a Likert scale were taken, nested under the top two box and bottom two method, thus obtaining an ordinal scale variable. To verify the hypotheses, an analysis of variances was carried out, as well as a correlation analysis (Pearson). The study reveals that the daily coexistence to which individuals were subjected due to the isolation produced by the COVID-19 pandemic, has caused both men and women to have similar behaviors, modifying their consumption habits, in order to improve health and stay physically and mentally healthy, it can not be predicted if these behaviors will persist when the pandemic has ended and people return to their daily activities outside the home but yes, it gives a vision of how people have adapted to this situation.
Gestión del cambio organizacional en los proyectos sociales
Authors: Campo-Vidal Jessica Marcela , Valencia-Arango Nathalia Andrea , Hernandez Hector Andres , Calderón-Sotero Jaime Hernán
Published: April 2023

La gestión del cambio o change management se ha constituido como un recurso que apoya a las organizaciones en sus procesos de mejora, innovación, progreso, y en la superación de periodos críticos. Sin embargo, no solo las organizaciones se benefician de la gestión del cambio, sino también las instituciones públicas; esto debido a que los factores organizacionales que impulsan dichos proyectos también se encuentran en otro tipo de objetivos de cambio e innovación, como las ONG que buscan la educación igualitaria, la protección del medio ambiente, o los gobiernos que desean un mejor sistema de salud. Para el desarrollo del presente artículo se consultaron treinta (30) publicaciones, de la cuales seis (6) de revistas en español y veinticuatro (24) en inglés, integrando las descripciones conceptuales del change management y su campo de aplicación. Se encontró que la gestión del cambio en la administración pública o social busca objetivos similares a los de una organización o empresa, y el desarrollo de proyectos sociales mejora cuando su estructura de procesos y resultados se basa en el liderazgo, la comunicación, el aprendizaje, y el uso de la tecnología, ayudando a mejorar calidad de vida de las comunidades en tiempos de cambio y crisis que han tenido que pasar durante todo los acontecimientos que se han presentado como por ejemplo la reciente pandemia del COVID-19.

 

El presente artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las posibles similitudes entre la gestión del cambio gerencial y la gestión del cambio en los proyectos sociales, identificando conceptos administrativos que funcionan para ambos casos y que hacen de la gestión de proyectos públicos una importante herramienta en la de los gobiernos y las organizaciones que trabajan por el bienestar de las comunidades en proyectos de diferentes ámbitos, como la salud.
Calcular el radio de la tierra: emulando a Eratóstenes
Authors: Díaz-Pinzón Jorge Enrique
Published: April 2023

Hace 2.255 años, el genial matemático, astrónomo y geógrafo griego Eratóstenes de Cirene, con palos, sombras, matemática, astronomía, e imaginación, calculó el radio de la Tierra. Por tal motivo varias ciudades del mundo, Bogotá (Colombia), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Nápoles (Italia), Úbeda (España), y Sao Paulo (Brasil), participaron del proyecto de medir el radio de la Tierra según el método de Eratóstenes en la antigüedad. Cada ciudad participante tenía que tomar unos datos de ubicación y del ángulo de la sombra que proyecta un palo vertical entre el 22 de septiembre al 4 de octubre de 2021. Una vez recolectado estos datos, se procedió a calcular la distancia media del radio de la Tierra. Los resultados obtenidos fueron: 6.205 km para Bogotá, 6.365,983 km para Buenos Aires, 6.392,121 km para Úbeda, 6.590,238 km para Nápoles y 6596,579 km para Sao Paulo. Podemos inferir del resultado de la experiencia, que ésta permitió que las ciudades participantes tuvieran una estrecha colaboración, a una prueba científica que les colocaba en contacto, a través de la Astronomía.
Women Working From Home: Higher Performance and Satisfaction or More Stress?
Authors: Wattenberg Malte , Mauritz Nina , Prädikow Lotte , Schulte Maximilian , Franken Swetlana , Armutat Sascha
Published: April 2023

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies and organisations have introduced or expanded remote work options, thus creating new opportunities for employees to organise their day-to-day work independently. However, several studies suggest that women tend to suffer more from the double burden, as working from home often leads to a revival of traditional gender roles. Special strategies and instruments are needed to optimise the work-life balance when working from home. The aim of this study was to identify gender-specific stress and success factors for remote work design in order to derive practical recommendations for companies, women and politics to optimise work performance, work-life balance and satisfaction in remote work. To reach this objective, an online survey in Germany (n = 247) examined the perceived work design competencies, individual agreements with managers, corporate culture, perceived collegial support and the relationship with colleagues. The respective influence of these variables on the perceived satisfaction, stress as well as work performance when working from home was examined. Using a multiple regression analysis, it was shown that the three factors workplace design competencies, individual agreements with managers and the relationship with colleagues have a significant influence on all of the examined dependent variables. This means that a strong manifestation of factors has an effect on higher satisfaction, better performance and lower level of perceived stress. Work design competence has the most significant influence on study participants here. Significant gender differences were also identified: on average, women report a higher level of satisfaction and a lower level of perceived stress. Based on the identified factors, the paper discusses specific recommendations for companies, women and politicians to help employees working from home cope better with the associated burdens.
The Decades-Long Struggle of ‘Comfort Women’ for Justice
Authors: Miyamoto Erika
Published: April 2023

During World War II, several thousands of women were forced into sexual slavery, known as ‘comfort women’, by the Imperial Japanese Army in comfort stations throughout Asia. After the war, the International Military Tribunal for the Far East was established in 1946 to prosecute the Japanese war criminals, however, it was the ‘victor’s justice’ and failed to adequately prosecute crimes related to the ‘comfort women’. The truth of ‘comfort women’ remained untold in public until the victims started to speak about their experiences at the establishment of the Korean Council for Women Drafted for Military Sexual Slavery by Japan. Kim Hak-soon, a Korean ‘comfort women’, was testified about her experiences, and it resulted in encouraging other ‘comfort women’ to share their own experiences in 1990s. On the other hand, the Japanese government has continuously denied state responsibility for the ‘comfort women’. In addition, between 1991 and 2001, the ‘comfort women’ from South Korea, China, the Philippines, Taiwan and the Netherlands filed 10 trials against the Japanese government in Japanese courts, however, all the cases were eventually dismissed. In 1996, the Japanese government established an Asian Women’s Fund to provide compensation, medical welfare and letters of apology to the ‘comfort women’, however, the Fund has been criticised by the United Nations due to the lack of the admission of state responsibility. The debate over the ‘comfort women’ lasting to date has shown the complexity of the legal and political issues, causing continuing sufferings to the ‘comfort women’. This research will analyse the historical context of the ‘comfort women’ to identify the reason why these victims are still not able to obtain their rights to reparation and an effective remedy. It will also examine to what extent the development of international law on sexual slavery can contribute to enhance the right to justice and the right to reparation of the ‘comfort women’. I argue that the Japan’s acknowledgement of violations of international law and the inclusion of a victim-oriented and gendered approach into the reparations are crucial.
Examining Barriers to Entry: Disparate Gender Representation in Cybersecurity Within Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Botha-Badenhorst Danielle , Veerasamy Namosha
Published: April 2023

Globally, women are underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this underrepresentation is even more prevalent, as fewer women pursue STEM careers in SSA when compared to the global norm. Cybersecurity is a critical subsection of STEM; one that is widely accepted as a field with enormous growth potential, yet only a small proportion of these jobs belong to women. Despite attempts to narrow the gender gap in cybersecurity, persistent factors still contribute to this disparity. Within this field, developing countries struggle with the same issues that impact their more developed counterparts. Issues that impact both SSA and the global participation of women in cyber-security include lacking representation and awareness as well as retention problems. Further, issues such as harassment, gender bias and the idea that cybersecurity is a “man’s world” are also contributing factors. A slew of other factors is also at play in SSA; this includes issues of low school attendance by girls, restricted educational opportunities, and other systemic challenges. Girls and women are less likely to complete lower and secondary education, which has a ripple effect – fewer women reach higher education in SSA when compared to global trends. Generally, higher or tertiary education is necessary to join the cybersecurity workforce. Research exploring the challenges women in SSA face when trying to enter the cybersecurity field is limited. This paper presents an overview of the most persistent challenges faced in SSA and globally. It highlights the current skill shortage in the cybersecurity field that is exasperated by global challenges, including issues unique to the region. Educational pathways available to girls and women are explored, as well as the issues leading to widespread skill shortages within SSA. Programs striving to increase the participation of women in cybersecurity are discussed. Lastly, some suggestions to remediate this pervasive issue are also provided.
The Gender Gap in Morocco’s Entrepreneurial Process: Towards a Typology of Female Entrepreneurs
Authors: Aligod Salwa
Published: April 2023

The gender gap in entrepreneurship persists across the globe. Although many governments are making significant efforts to change the landscape, there is still much work to close this gap, especially in developing countries. Morocco, a Muslim and patriarchal society, does not escape this reality. It has one of the lowest rates of gender equality in entrepreneurship. The entrepreneurial gender gap in Morocco is alarming since it is manifested throughout the entrepreneurial process (from the intention to action), and female TEA has been far below male TEA for many years now (GEM, 2021). By analyzing the paths of Moroccan entrepreneurs, this paper proposes exploring the characteristics of the entrepreneurial process from a gendered perspective. Through semi-structured interviews among nineteen entrepreneurs, this study explores the entrepreneurial process in its complexity and diversity of contexts. The aim is to deeply understand how female and male entrepreneurs live their entrepreneurial adventures in a patriarchal and Islamic context. The results show that the entrepreneur's gender is not the relevant factor to analyze gender gap in entrepreneurship but rather context which justifies the emergence of new typology of female entrepreneurs.
Gender Budgeting as a Dynamic Monitoring Tool for Gender Diversity Management in Universities
Authors: Paoloni Paola , Cosentino Antonietta , Manzo Martina
Published: April 2023

Since the early 1980s, the economic literature has recognized the importance of valorizing the differences in the corporate context as a necessity and has been fueled by studies using the term "diversity management" (Kelly & Dobbin, 1998; Keil et al., 2007). The attention placed on the issue by both public and private sector organizations has grown exponentially, embracing new contexts and also new shades of diversity (Di Santo et al., 2013). Gender is a focal element of the organizations' multiplicity, the respect for which requires equal representation of men and women in the workplace (Wawryszuk-Misztal, 2021).

The EIGE (European Institute for Gender Equality) Indicator considers different variables, among of which there are employment and education, two closely interdependent aspects which are even more prominently encountered in academia. Gender inequality in academic careers is, in fact, a global phenomenon, although the causes and consequences vary in different national contexts (Piva and Rovelli, 2022). One tool increasingly used by universities to demonstrate their commitment to pursuing gender equality is the gender budget, a document that assesses and restructures budget items considering women’s priorities and needs as well as those of men (Addabbo et al., 2015; Bilyk et al., 2021; Lucchese et al., 2022).

This paper aims to investigate whether and how gender budget can communicate the evolution of the gender diversity management approach.

The paper uses a qualitative analysis based on a single case study to answer the research question. In particular, the research is focused on gender budgeting elaborated by the oldest university in Europe: University La Sapienza, set in Rome, Italy. Sapienza University is the most prominent university in Rome and the first to implement this tool. The authors will carry out a documentary analysis of the latest gender budget (2021), comparing it with the previous ones (2016-2020), to see if it is possible to understand how Sapienza's commitment to reducing the gender gap has evolved over the years.

From a theoretical point of view, the research contributes to gender studies and non-financial reporting research, focusing on the role of clear and transparent communication in conveying the value and enhancement of diversity. From a managerial perspective, findings could increase the universities' awareness about which information the gender budget should contain to represent the organization's dynamic engagement against gender inequalities.