bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaria in Southern Venezuela: The hottest hotspot in Latin America
Authors: Grillet Maria Eugenia , Moreno Jorge E. , Hernández-Villena Juan V. , Vincenti-González Maria F. , Noya Oscar , Tami Adriana , Paniz-Mondolfi Alberto , Llewellyn Martin , Lowe Rachel , Escalante Ananías A. , Conn Jan E.
Published: January 2021

Malaria elimination in Latin America is becoming an elusive goal. Malaria cases reached a historical ~1 million in 2017 and 2018, with Venezuela contributing 53% and 51% of those cases, respectively. Historically, malaria incidence in southern Venezuela has accounted for most of the country's total number of cases. The efficient deployment of disease prevention measures and prediction of disease spread to new regions requires an in-depth understanding of spatial heterogeneity on malaria transmission dynamics. Herein, we characterized the spatial epidemiology of malaria in southern Venezuela from 2007 through 2017 and described the extent to which malaria distribution has changed country-wide over the recent years. We found that disease transmission was focal and more prevalent in the southeast region of southern Venezuela where two persistent hotspots ofPlasmodium vivax(76%) andP.falciparum(18%) accounted for ~60% of the total number of cases. Such hotspots are linked to deforestation as a consequence of illegal gold mining activities. Incidence has increased nearly tenfold over the last decade, showing an explosive epidemic growth due to a significant lack of disease control programs. Our findings highlight the importance of spatially oriented interventions to contain the ongoing malaria epidemic in Venezuela. This work also provides baseline epidemiological data to assess cross-border malaria dynamics and advocates for innovative control efforts in the Latin American region.
The geometric approach to human stress based on stress-related surrogate measures
Authors: Kloucek Petr , von Gunten Armin
Published: January 2021

We present a predictive Geometric Stress Index (pGSI) and its relation to behavioural Entropy (b E). b E is a measure of the complexity of an organism’s reactivity to stressors yielding patterns based on different behavioural and physiological variables selected as Surrogate Markers of Stress (SMS). We present a relationship between pGSI and b E in terms of a power law model. This nonlinear relationship describes congruences in complexity derived from analyses of observable and measurable SMS based patterns interpreted as stress. The adjective geometric refers to subdivision(s) of the domain derived from two SMS (heart rate variability and steps frequency) with respect to a positive/negative binary perceptron based on a third SMS (blood oxygenation). The presented power law allows for both quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the consequences of stress measured by pGSI. In particular, we show that elevated stress levels in terms of pGSI leads to a decrease of the b E of the blood oxygenation, measured by peripheral blood oxygenation SpO2 as a model of SMS.
Umbilical cord blood metabolome differs in relation to delivery mode, birth order and sex, maternal diet and possibly future allergy development in rural children
Authors: Ross Alastair B. , Barman Malin , Hartvigsson Olle , Lundell Anna-Carin , Savolainen Otto , Hesselmar Bill , Wold Agnes E. , Sandberg Ann-Sofie
Published: January 2021

Allergy is one of the most common diseases among young children yet all factors that affect development of allergy remain unclear. In a small cohort of 65 children living in the same rural area of south-west Sweden, we have previously found that maternal factors, including prenatal diet, affect childhood allergy risk, suggesting that in utero conditions may be important for allergy development. Here, we studied if metabolites in the umbilical cord blood of newborns may be related to development of childhood allergy, accounting for key perinatal factors such as mode of delivery, birth order and sex. Available umbilical cord blood plasma samples from 44 of the participants were analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics; allergy was diagnosed by specialised paediatricians at ages 18 months, 3 years and 8 years and included eczema, asthma, food allergy and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Nineteen cord blood metabolites were related to future allergy diagnosis though there was no clear pattern of up- or downregulation of metabolic pathways. In contrast, perinatal factors birth order, sex and mode of delivery affected several energy and biosynthetic pathways, including glutamate and aspartic acid—histidine metabolism (p = 0.004) and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (p = 0.006) for birth order; branched chain amino acid metabolism (p = 0.0009) and vitamin B6 metabolism (p = 0.01) for sex; and glyoxylate and dicarboxylic acid metabolism (p = 0.005) for mode of delivery. Maternal diet was also related to some of the metabolites associated with allergy. In conclusion, the cord blood metabolome includes individual metabolites that reflect lifestyle, microbial and other factors that may be associated with future allergy diagnosis, and also reflects temporally close events/factors. Larger studies are required to confirm these associations, and perinatal factors such as birth order or siblings must be considered in future cord-blood metabolome studies.
Modelling cascading failures in networks with the harmonic closeness
Authors: Hao Yucheng , Jia Limin , Wang Yanhui , He Zhichao
Published: January 2021

Many studies on cascading failures adopt the degree or the betweenness of a node to define its load. From a novel perspective, we propose an approach to obtain initial loads considering the harmonic closeness and the impact of neighboring nodes. Based on simulation results for different adjustable parameter θ, local parameter δ and proportion of attacked nodes f, it is found that in scale-free networks (SF networks), small-world networks (SW networks) and Erdos-Renyi networks (ER networks), there exists a negative correlation between optimal θ and δ. By the removal of the low load node, cascading failures are more likely to occur in some cases. In addition, we find a valuable result that our method yields better performance compared with other methods in SF networks with an arbitrary f, SW and ER networks with large f. Moreover, the method concerning the harmonic closeness makes these three model networks more robust for different average degrees. Finally, we perform the simulations on twenty real networks, whose results verify that our method is also effective to distribute the initial load in different real networks.
Violence against physicians in Jordan: An analytical cross-sectional study
Authors: Alhamad Ruba , Suleiman Aiman , Bsisu Isam , Santarisi Abeer , Al Owaidat Ahmad , Sabri Albatool , Farraj Mohammad , Al Omar Mohammad , Almazaydeh Rawan , Odeh Ghada , Al mousa Mohammad , Mahseeri Mohamad
Published: January 2021

Background

High numbers of violence incidents against physicians are reported annually in both developing and developed countries. In Jordan, studies conducted on healthcare workers involved small number of physicians and showed higher percentages of violence exposure when compared to other investigations from the Middle East. This is a large study aiming to comprehensively analyze the phenomenon in the physicians’ community to optimize future strategies countering it.

Methods

The study has a cross sectional, questionnaire-based design. It targeted 969 doctors from different types of healthcare Jordanian institutions in Amman, between May to July, 2019. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate properties of reported abuse cases in terms of abusers, timing, and type of abuse, in addition to the consequences of this abuse.

Results

Prevalence of exposure to violence in the last year among doctors was 63.1% (611 doctors). 423 (67.2%) of male doctors had an experience of being abused during the last 12 months, compared to 188 (55.3%) of females (p< 0.001). Governmental centers showed the highest prevalence. Among 356 doctors working in governmental medical centers, 268 (75.3%) reported being abused (p< 0.001), and they were more abused verbally (63.5%) and physically (10.4%) compared to other medical sectors (p <0.001). The mean score of how worried doctors are regarding violence at their workplace from 1 to 5 was 3.1 ± 1.3, and only 129 (13.3%) believed that they are protected by law.

Conclusions

The study emphasized on the higher rate of violence against physicians in the governmental sector, in addition to the negative effect of abuse on their performance. Moreover, male physicians had higher incidence of workplace abuse. Therefore, strategies that ease and promote the real application of anti-violence policies should become our future target.
Does parenting style moderate the relationship between parent-youth sexual risk communication and premarital sexual debut among in-school youth in Eswatini?
Authors: Shongwe Mduduzi Colani , Chung Min-Huey , Chien Li-Yin , Chang Pi-Chen
Published: January 2021

Background

Based on propositions of the contextual model of parenting style, we examined whether there is a relationship between parent-youth sexual risk communication (PYSRC) and premarital sexual debut, and whether this relationship is moderated by the parenting style.

Methods

A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire from 462 youth (211 boys and 251 girls) aged 15–24 years in senior grades of three public high schools (two rural and one urban) in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). A hierarchical binary regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between PYSRC and premarital sexual debut, and to test whether parenting style moderates this relationship.

Results

The mean age of participants was 18.9 (±1.85) years, and a slight majority were females (54.3%). About 35.9% of participants reported having had sex (i.e., premarital sexual debut). After adjusting for age, gender, living arrangement, school location, and peer sexual activity, neither PYSRC (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00, 1.03) nor parenting style (AOR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.64, 1.04) significantly predicted premarital sexual debut in the sample. Likewise, parenting style did not significantly moderate the relationship between PYSRC and premarital sexual debut (AOR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.02).

Conclusion

Contrary to propositions of the contextual model of parenting style, in this study, parenting style (authoritativeness) did not moderate the studied relationship, indicating the need for more studies to test the applicability of the contextual model of parenting style in African settings.
The safety and efficacy of doxazosin in medical expulsion therapy for distal ureteric calculi: A meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Baozhong , Zheng Xiang , Sun Zejia , Cao Peng , Zhang Jiandong , Gao Zihao , Cao Haoyuan , Zhang Feilong , Wang Wei
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers can be effectively used in the context of medical expulsion therapy (MET) to treat ureteric stones. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of doxazosin in MET relative to placebo or tamsulosin.

Methods

We systematically searched the PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Chinese Academic Database, and Web of Science databases to select randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared the use of doxazosin with placebo or tamsulosin to treat ureteric stones. All patients we included were limited to those diagnosed with visible stones in the distal ureter. The diameter of ureteric stones does not exceed 10 mm.

Results

Eight trials comparing doxazosin with placebo or tamsulosin containing 667 patients were assessed in the final analysis. The meta-analysis showed that doxazosin effectively treated ureteric stones and was better than placebo in terms of efficacy. Relative to the placebo group, the expulsion rate of stones from the distal ureter (OR = 3.00, 95% CI [2.15, 4.19], I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001) was significantly increased, and the expulsion time (days) was shortened (mean difference) (MD) = −4.03, 95% CI [−4.53, −3.53], P < 0.00001). The doxazosin group experienced fewer pain episodes (MD = −0.78, CI = [−0.94, −0.23], I2 = 0%, P < 0.00001) than the placebo group. A subgroup analysis showed that the doxazosin group had a higher expulsion rate (of 5–10 mm stones) compared with the placebo group. Although doxazosin resulted in significantly more adverse effects compared with the placebo, the patient’s symptoms were mild and no further medical interventions were required. Moreover, the expulsion time (days) was shorter for patients receiving doxazosin (MD = −0.61, 95% CI [−0.97, −0.24], I2 = 39%, P = 0.001) than those receiving tamsulosin.

Conclusion

Compared with the placebo group, patients receiving doxazosin had a greater expulsion rate, a reduced expulsion time, and fewer pain episodes. The expulsion time of doxazosin was shorter than that of tamsulosin.
Antimicrobial efficacy of silver nanoparticles against Candida albicans: A systematic review protocol
Authors: Adam Razia Z. , Khan Saadika B.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Denture-induced stomatitis is one form of candidiasis. It is characterised as inflammation and erythema of the oral mucosa underneath the denture-bearing areas and clinically classified into three types according to severity. Denture hygiene, appropriate mouth rinses and the use of antifungal therapy are commonly used to treat the condition, but new technologies are emerging that may assist in its treatment.

Aim

The aim of this systematic review is to determine if silver nanoparticles inhibit the growth of Candida Albicans when included in acrylic dentures and in different denture liners.

Methodology

A protocol was developed and published on PROSPERO (Registration No: CRD42019145542) and with the institutional ethics committee (Registration No: BM20/4/1).

The protocol includes all aspects of a systematic review namely: selection criteria, search strategy, selection methods using predetermined eligibility criteria, data collection, data extraction, critical appraisal of included studies, and the intended statistical analyses such as calculating risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and presented at 95% confidence intervals, a meta-analysis, if possible or a narrative report as needed.

Expected results

With rigorous inclusion criteria set and databases identified for searching, appropriate clinical and laboratory studies may be obtained but the results and its interpretation and translation into clinical practice may be a challenge as these depend on the quality of the research.
Complexation design of cationized gelatin and molecular beacon to visualize intracellular mRNA
Authors: Takehana Sho , Murata Yuki , Jo Jun-ichiro , Tabata Yasuhiko
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study is to prepare cationized gelatin-molecular beacon (MB) complexes for the visualization of intracellular messenger RNA (mRNA). The complexes were prepared from cationized gelatins with different extents of cationization and different mixing ratios of MB to cationized gelatin. The apparent size of complexes was almost similar, while the zeta potential was different among the complexes. Irrespective of the preparation conditions, the complexes had a sequence specificity against the target oligonucleotides in hybridization. The cytotoxicity and the amount of complexes internalized into cells increased with an increase in the cationization extent and the concentration of cationized gelatin. After the incubation with complexes prepared from cationized gelatin with the highest extent of cationization and at mixing ratios of 10 and 20 pmole MB/μg cationized gelatin, a high fluorescent intensity was detected. On the other hand, the complex prepared with the mixing ratio at 20 pmole/μg did not show any cytotoxicity. The complex was the most effective to visualize the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA endogenously present. In addition, even for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mRNA exogenously transfected, the complex permitted to effectively detect it as well. It is concluded that both the endogenous and exogenous mRNA can be visualized in living cells by use of cationized gelatin-MB complexes designed.
Utility of SpO2/FiO2 ratio for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with bilateral opacities in the ICU
Authors: Fukuda Yosuke , Tanaka Akihiko , Homma Tetsuya , Kaneko Keisuke , Uno Tomoki , Fujiwara Akiko , Uchida Yoshitaka , Suzuki Shintaro , Kotani Toru , Sagara Hironori
Published: January 2021

Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (AHRF) with bilateral opacities causes fatalities in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is often difficult to identify the causes of AHRF at the time of admission. The SpO2 to FiO2 (S/F) ratio has been recently used as a non-invasive and alternative marker of the PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio in acute respiratory failure. This retrospective cohort study was conducted from October 2010 to March 2019 at the Showa University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. We enrolled 94 AHRF patients who had bilateral opacities and received mechanical ventilation in ICU to investigate their prognostic markers including S/F ratio. Significant differences were observed for APACHE II, S/F ratio, PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio, and ventilator−free-days at day 28 for ICU mortality, and for age, S/F ratio, P/F ratio, duration of mechanical ventilation, and ventilator−free days at day 28 for hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the S/F ratio was significantly and independently associated with the risk of death during in ICU (p = 0.003) and hospitalization (p = 0.002). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) based on the S/F ratio were significantly greater than those based on simplified acute physiology score (SAPS) II and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) for ICU mortality (0.785 in S/F ratio vs. 0.575 in SAPS II, p = 0.012; 0.785 in S/F ratio vs 0.594 in SOFA, p = 0.021) and for hospital mortality (0.701 in S/F ratio vs. 0.502 in SAPS II, p = 0.012; 0.701 in S/F ratio vs. 0.503 in SOFA, p = 0.005). In the subanalysis for bacterial pneumonia and interstitial lung disease groups, the AUC based on the S/F ratio was the greatest among all prognostic markers, including APACHE II, SAPS II, and SOFA. The S/F ratio may be a useful and noninvasive predictive prognostic marker for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with bilateral opacities in the ICU.
Validation of dynamic virtual faces for facial affect recognition
Authors: Fernández-Sotos Patricia , García Arturo S. , Vicente-Querol Miguel A. , Lahera Guillermo , Rodriguez-Jimenez Roberto , Fernández-Caballero Antonio
Published: January 2021

The ability to recognise facial emotions is essential for successful social interaction. The most common stimuli used when evaluating this ability are photographs. Although these stimuli have proved to be valid, they do not offer the level of realism that virtual humans have achieved. The objective of the present paper is the validation of a new set of dynamic virtual faces (DVFs) that mimic the six basic emotions plus the neutral expression. The faces are prepared to be observed with low and high dynamism, and from front and side views. For this purpose, 204 healthy participants, stratified by gender, age and education level, were recruited for assessing their facial affect recognition with the set of DVFs. The accuracy in responses was compared with the already validated Penn Emotion Recognition Test (ER-40). The results showed that DVFs were as valid as standardised natural faces for accurately recreating human-like facial expressions. The overall accuracy in the identification of emotions was higher for the DVFs (88.25%) than for the ER-40 faces (82.60%). The percentage of hits of each DVF emotion was high, especially for neutral expression and happiness emotion. No statistically significant differences were discovered regarding gender. Nor were significant differences found between younger adults and adults over 60 years. Moreover, there is an increase of hits for avatar faces showing a greater dynamism, as well as front views of the DVFs compared to their profile presentations. DVFs are as valid as standardised natural faces for accurately recreating human-like facial expressions of emotions.
Experiencia álgica y expresión doliente: reflexiones a partir de Abramovic
Authors: Escribano López Francesc Xavier
Published: January 2021

Bajo la inspiración de la performance Lips of Thomas de Marina Abramovic, se examinan en este trabajo las fisuras y las paradojas que plantea un posible circuito interpersonal del dolor, en el que se distinguen al menos cuatro momentos: experiencia álgica, expresión doliente, reconocimiento y comportamiento de ayuda. Nos detenemos especialmente en el caso de una experiencia álgica a la que no corresponde sorprendentemente una expresión, y también en el caso de una expresión doliente que ha de superar múltiples dificultades para su reconocimiento. Mientras que el dolor agudo parece el verdadero actor que se despliega y manifiesta en la escena sin abrir apenas espacio a una modulación personal, el dolor crónico puede llegar a exigir una cuidadosa puesta en escena para alcanzar paradójicamente el reconocimiento de su mera realidad. Las múltiples fisuras y paradojas en la experiencia, expresión y reconocimiento del dolor pueden deberse, en definitiva, no a una disfunción casual de un circuito funcional y operante, sino al carácter disruptivo, destructivo o aberrante de una experiencia álgica que se manifiesta en último término como experiencia del mal.
Guerra y propaganda en el reinado de Felipe V
Authors: Borreguero Beltrán Cristina
Published: January 2021

Este artículo trata de ofrecer un análisis del alcance propagandístico de las guerras durante el reinado de Felipe V. No solo la contienda sucesoria a principios de siglo hizo emerger una penetrante y virulenta propaganda debido a su vertiente civil en suelo peninsular, también las guerras de Italia y las expediciones al norte de África, que buscaron la recuperación de territorios muy estimados por la Monarquía, tuvieron particular influencia en la opinión pública española y europea. Muy significativos fueron los sentimientos anglófobos y antihispanos suscitados por la guerra de la Oreja de Jenkins o guerra del Asiento.
Del género literario al género pictórico: la teoría de los géneros en la pintura francesa de Félibien a Diderot
Authors: Blanco Aparicio Jaime
Published: January 2021

A lo largo del cinquecento observamos un trasvase desde la noción de género literario a la teoría pictórica, paralelamente a la relectura de la Poética de Aristóteles. Este empleó las clasificaciones y los géneros retóricos para reflexionar sobre la especificidad artística, facilitando su producción y recepción posterior, constituyendo la base donde se sustentará la teoría de los géneros pictóricos en Francia, desde Félibien a Diderot. No obstante, una parte de la historiografía artística actual ha aplicado un modelo de análisis nacido en la teoría literaria del siglo xix para analizar el fenómeno del género dieciochesco, lo que ha planteado ciertas conclusiones cuestionables a la hora de analizar la pintura del siglo xviii. Nuestro objetivo será, por tanto, profundizar en este nacimiento de la noción de género poético y mostrar cómo se trasladó a la pintura, condicionando las clasificaciones y los géneros, y estableciendo unas jerarquías entre ellos.
La pintura: poema didáctico en tres cantos (1786) de Diego Antonio Rejón de Silva. Una relectura a través de sus paratextos
Authors: Jaquero Esparcia Alejandro
Published: January 2021

La aportación del ilustrado Diego Antonio Rejón de Silva al debate teórico‑artístico del siglo xviii merece una especial atención, sobre todo uno de sus principales trabajos: La Pintura: poema didáctico en tres cantos (1786). Su labor se enmarca en la moda dieciochesca de generar estructuras de conocimiento versificadas o «poemas prosaicos». Aunque el sistema poético utilizado por el autor resulta interesante, pensamos que la obra puede presumir de otras características. Proponemos un análisis aproximativo a la teoría artística del autor a través de los paratextos que acompañan el poema, con el fin de comprender la herencia asimilada de la tratadística italiana; la síntesis de las ideas artísticas asimiladas en el Barroco español por autores como Francisco Pacheco, Vicente Carducho o Acisclo Antonio Palomino, y la interpretación propia del arte de su tiempo.
«Poco latín y menos griego»: Feijoo y las lenguas clásicas
Authors: San José Vázquez Eduardo
Published: January 2021

Este artículo examina la opinión de Benito Jerónimo Feijoo (1676‑1764) acerca del cultivo del griego y del latín en la España del siglo xviii. A través de textos del Teatro crítico universal (1726‑1740) y de las Cartas eruditas y curiosas (1742‑1760), se estudian, asimismo, las implicaciones y puesta en práctica de esas ideas, que cuestionaban la necesidad de estudiar el griego y la limitación del latín en la vida científica y cultural moderna. Puestas sobre el contexto del reformismo borbónico, se discute la influencia de un ideal casticista y nacionalista español en estas tesis, para concluir que el pragmatismo es el factor determinante en su preferencia de las lenguas vulgares.
Spiritual Intelligence Relationship with Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Commitment of School Teachers
Authors: shahmohammadi Nayereh , Afzooni Fayazallah
Published: January 2021

Introduction:
In an educational organization, because of its important function in human resources development and training in the community, respecting the values, spirituality, leadership, and management strengthening, based on spirituality and good citizenship behavior and commitment have greater importance.

Aim:
This study examined the relation between spiritual intelligence with organizational citizenship behavior and organizational commitment of secondary school teachers.

Methods:
The research method was correlational and its population included all teachers in education districts 2 and 5 in 2015 from which 358 teachers were selected by using Cochran formula and simple random sampling method as a sample. To collect data, three questionnaire: the King Spiritual Intelligence questionnaire (2007) and Padasakof et al. citizenship behavior questionnaire (2000) and organizational commitment questionnaire of Meyer (2001)were used .The reliability of the tools obtained by Cronbakh Formula 0/85,0/84, 0/7 respectively. For statistical analysis, the descriptive statistics (average, percentage, Standard deviation) and inferential statistical tests (Kolmogorov - Smirnov test, Pearson correlation coefficient test and stepwise regression analysis) were used.

Conclusion:
The results showed that none of the components of citizenship behavior has a significant relation with a critical thought component of spiritual intelligence. Regarding the personal meaning making component of spiritual intelligence, only the components of sportsmanship and social customs have a significant relation, and other components have no significant association. All components of citizenship behavior are significantly associated with a transcendental consciousness component of spiritual intelligence and have no significant relation with self-awareness extends component. None of the organizational commitment components have a significant relation to the critical thinking component and high awareness of spiritual intelligence and only the emotional commitment of the organizational commitment component have a significant relation with the personal meaning making of spiritual intelligence, as well as with the expansion of consciousness component.
Off-Label Use of Multitarget Stool DNA Testing in Primary Care
Authors: Agarwal Amol , Zhang Talan , Ravindran Nishal , Thuluvath Paul J. , Maheshwari Anurag
Published: January 2021

INTRODUCTION:

We evaluated the off-label use of multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) testing in the primary care setting.

METHODS:

We reviewed all mt-sDNA orders between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, to determine the frequency of off-label mt-sDNA orders.

RESULTS:

Nine hundred two patients with mt-sDNA orders were evaluated, of which 160/902 patients (17.7%) met at least 1 criterion for off-label mt-sDNA order. Increasing age was associated with off-label order (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.32 [95% CI, 1.86–2.89] for every 10-year increase in age, P < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, increased age (OR 1.04 [1.02–1.06], P = 0.001) and need for diagnostic colonoscopy (OR 2.9 [1.01–8.34], P = 0.048) were associated with a positive mt-sDNA result.

DISCUSSION:

Off-label mt-sDNA testing is common, and further efforts are needed to educate patients and providers on appropriate use of mt-sDNA for colorectal cancer screening.
LANDSLIDE MONITORING IN A BUILT-UP AREA
Authors: Černoch Petr , Koštál Jiří , Podojil Adam
Published: January 2021

The article deals with the evaluation and comparison of measured data from geotechnical monitoring of a gabion wall and an adjacent slope. In 2015, new anomalous phenomena related to deformations and a shift in the area of previously activated landslide were recorded on some monitoring elements in the area of the gabion wall. Measurements carried out in previous stages had revealed the re activation of landslides, probably due to a significant rise in groundwater levels, whose fluctuation has been up to 3 m. A proper evaluation of the obtained results cannot be quantified without the determination of warning status or without a stability calculation. Only the trend and magnitude of the measured values can be evaluated.
GEOTECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF TRANSFORMING A WATER MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE TO A TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURE
Authors: Slávik Ivan , Hruštinec Luboš
Published: January 2021

This paper analyzes the transformation of the culvert channel under the supply channel of the Gabcíkovo Waterworks into a road tunnel structure and the impact this had on the surrounding rock environment. It presents the engineering-geological conditions in the area, the current structuralmaterial characteristics of the culvert channel and its proposed transformation into a road tunnel. The results of the geotechnical analysis, realized through numeric modelling, are presented as a comparison of deformation changes in the rock environment with respect to changes in loading states corresponding with functional changes in the analyzed culvert.
Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in the Assembly Industry
Authors: Vedernikova Olga , Siguenza-Guzman Lorena , Pesantez Johanna , Arcentales-Carrion Rodrigo
Published: January 2021

Costs and their determination play a critical role in all manufacturing companies. The traditional costing system has received criticism resulting from the arbitrary allocation of indirect manufacturing costs. As an important initiative to address its weaknesses, new costing methods such as the Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing (TDABC) have emerged. Unfortunately, up to our knowledge, no investigations have been applied in analyzing assembly companies thoroughly nor considering all the processes necessary to obtain the final products. This article explores the TDABC application in the assembly industry through comparison with traditional volume-based costing by focusing on manual and semi-automatized production. Since the research is descriptive, a multiple-case study design was implemented in the assembly of televisions, motorcycles, and printed circuit boards. The developed methodology allowed determining the existence of factory overhead and direct labor cost variances between two different cost accounting systems, which also affected the unit cost of the products. Findings also highlight the benefits of TDABC application in the assembly industry, along with the shortcomings and future potential of research in this area.
Directors' Monitoring Role, Ownership Concentration and Audit fees
Authors: Nehme Rabih , Michael Amir , Haslam Jim
Published: January 2021

The research objective is to analyse different factors potentially involved in influencing the size of audit fees. The association between the Board of Directors and the shareholders of listed companies should be effectively developed and there should be a higher spirit of compliance with the governance code. The empirical model is constructed to assess the theoretical and statistical relationship between audit fees and corporate governance characteristics over a period of four years (for FTSE 350 companies excluding financial institutions between 2012 and 2015). Different testing techniques are used for robustness reasons. We found that Board of Directors' characteristics are significant in relation to audit fees. Some of the Audit Committee characteristics are affected by the collegiality principle in relation to the Board of Directors' characteristics. The consultative role of audit committee directors is dominated by the role of the Board of Directors. Mandatory audit fees, and not total auditors' remuneration is included in this study. While other studies assess mainly one corporate governance mechanism in relation to audit fees, we include the corporate governance mechanisms that are directly related to auditors' scope. This paper can be used as a tool for audit practitioners and corporate executives to seek a better auditor-client relationship.
Financial Crisis: Time to Manage Earnings?
Authors: Franceschetti Bruno
Published: January 2021

Previous research on how financial crisis affects managers’ earnings management behavior has resulted in different scenarios with inconclusive results. To address the ambiguity in the findings in the literature, the present study presents critical realism as an alternative to the positivist mainstream approach. The study argues against the existence of a causal law based on a constant conjunction model (i.e., whenever a financial crisis happens, earnings management happens) and concludes that financial crisis cannot be seen as the cause of earnings management. Finally, it suggests exploring other structures at work that might be responsible for earnings management.
The Impact of Individual Needs on Employee Performance while Teleworking
Authors: Bhattacharya Sonali , Mittal Priyanka
Published: January 2021

Due to change in work structures, the boundaries of private life and office work are getting depleted. There are various factors that may impact the performance of an employee, and they need to be identified. As different people in a company may have different home environments (family size, marital status, electricity, Wi-Fi, dedicated laptop with required software to teleconnect, noise and other distractions based on location of home, etc.), the telework setting varies and conflicts may arise during work and home transitions, especially when the dominant needs of a person are not met. Acquired Needs Theory by David McClelland classifies our needs into Achievement, Affiliation and Power and this paper aims to study the conflicts (Home-to-Work conflict or HTWC and Work-to-Home conflict or WTHC) that may arise within individuals due to the variation in their dominant needs. Employees presently working from home were administered a questionnaire that comprised items to measure the dominant needs of individuals. The questionnaire also had items to gauge what kind of issues/conflicts employees face while teleworking, and their coping behaviour. Responses were collected on a 7-point Likert Scale. Control variables like the level of restrictions in going out due to pandemic were also considered. The study established that among all the control variables, the number of hours spent working and family type has significant impact on both the conflicts, WTHC and HTWC. Also, people with different dominant needs have different impacts on conflict outcomes. Changing work landscape requires an organisation’s responsiveness to understand the interaction of individual personalities with their work and how future telework can be made more effective. People with a high Achievement need may face more WTHCs and those with a high Affiliation need may face more HTWCs. As the Power need increases, the person may face fewer WTHC and HTWC. These insights can be used by the organisation to drive the need among individuals so that they remain inclusive and satisfied.
Macroeconomic Determinants of Financial Distress in Turkey: An Econometric Analysis
Authors: Ece Arslan , Sayılgan Güven
Published: January 2021

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possible links between macroeconomic factors and financial distress in Turkey. Design/methodology/approach Based on the 2009/1-2016/2 quarterly data of macroeconomic factors and the number of filings for bankruptcy postponement, econometric models are developed using forward stepwise regression and classical regression methods to determine the factors influencing financial distress. A vector error correction model is also developed using macroeconomic factors found significant in both methods to investigate the interactions of financial distress with them. Findings In the stepwise regression implementation, performed with 16 independent variables, statistically significant variables entered into the model are industrial production index with negative sign as expected and the unemployment rate with negative sign against the expectations. In the classical regression implementation, performed with 7 independent variables, statistically significant variables are ex ante real interest rate with positive sign and gross domestic product with negative sign as expected and money supply with negative sign against the expectations. The impulse response graphics of a vector error correction model involving bankruptcy postponement, industrial production index and nominal interest rate indicates that bankruptcy postponement is influenced by the shocks both in itself and in industrial production index. Originality/value This is the first study in Turkey investigates macroeconomic determinants of financial distress.
Zemřela Helena Confortiová
Authors: Hasil Jiří
Published: January 2021

Zemřela Helena Confortiová
Spočítal ty peníze jen od oka
Authors: Hrdlička Milan
Published: January 2021

Příslovečné spřežky se vyznačují jednak pozicí na pomezí mluvnice a slovní zásoby, jednak frazeologizovanou povahou. Jejich základem bývá spojení slova neplnovýznamového (předložky) s plnovýznamovým. Nově vzniklé spojení nabývá zpravidla jiného významu, mnohdy zcela odlišného od původního významu jeho jednotlivých izolovaných komponentů. Ve výuce pokročilejších zahraničních bohemistů by měla být věnována příslovečným spřežkám větší pozornost.
Towards a Non-human Speciophilosophy
Authors: Giannetto Enrico
Published: January 2021

After the publication of Jaques Derrida’s book, L’animal que donc je suis, anti-speciesism has been looking for a theoretical foundation for its ethical content. In my opinion, the defect of all these philosophical perspectives is that they still reduce animals to objects of human philosophy. Here, I develop a new framework in which animals are considered as subjects of their own philosophy. In analogy to the concept of ethnophilosophy, the concept of speciophilosophy is here introduced (§ 1, §3). The different ways of thinking between humans and other animals are outlined, by explaining the difference between verbal reasoning and thinking through images (§ 2). Human philosophies are shown to be anthropocentric ideologies, related to carnivorism (§4, § 8). Subsequently, animal speciophilosophies are discussed (§6) and a dialogical symphilosophein (§ 5) among all living beings is proposed to be the extension of the so-called philosophy of dialogue. Finally, it is shown how this perspective was present in the original Christian ethics (§7, §9, § 10).
Modulation of phagosome phosphoinositide dynamics by a Legionella phosphoinositide 3‐kinase
Authors: Li Gen , Liu Hongtao , Luo Zhao‐Qing , Qiu Jiazhang
Published: January 2021

The phagosome harboring the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila is known to be enriched with phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate (PtdIns4P), which is important for anchoring a subset of its virulence factors and potentially for signaling events implicated in the biogenesis of the Legionella‐containing vacuole (LCV) that supports intracellular bacterial growth. Here we demonstrate that the effector MavQ is a phosphoinositide 3‐kinase that specifically catalyzes the conversion of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) into PtdIns3P. The product of MavQ is subsequently phosphorylated by the effector LepB to yield PtdIns(3,4)P2, whose 3‐phosphate is then removed by another effector SidF to generate PtdIns4P. We also show that MavQ is associated with the LCV and the ∆mavQ mutant displays phenotypes in the anchoring of a PtdIns4P‐binding effector similar to those of ∆lepB or ∆sidF mutants. Our results establish a mechanism of de novo PtdIns4P biosynthesis by L. pneumophila via a catalysis axis comprised of MavQ, LepB, and SidF on the surface of its phagosome.
Presentación signo distintivo Semillero de investigación: Andamios de Paz
Authors: Rodiel Rodríguez Díaz , Edna Rocio López Vargas , Giselle Rodríguez , Javier Barbosa
Published: January 2021

Este documento da cuenta de la Presentación signo distintivo Semillero de investigación: Andamios de Paz
DUECENTO ANNI DI SOLITUDINE: INDAGINE SULL’IDENTITÀ COSTRUTTIVA DI CEPITÁ
Authors: Paradiso Michele , Cruz Hernández Ricardo Alfredo , Paparazzo Fabio , Pianigiani Giovanni
Published: January 2021

L’articolo nasce dalle esperienze apprese nel seminario tematico “Materiali e tecniche costruttive storiche per il dialogo interculturale coi paesi del sud del mondo” e maturate in secondo luogo durante un periodo di mobilità nel dipartimento di Santander (Colombia). Prendendo come riferimento Cepitá, un piccolo centro abitato originariamente composto da sole case costruite in tapia pisada (terra battuta) nel cuore del secondo canyon più grande al mondo, l’intento del lavoro è stato quello di identificare e classificare le tecniche e le tecnologie costruttive di quest’area e di sottoporre alcuni manufatti in terra a un’indagine sulla vulnerabilità sismica. L’avvento dei moderni materiali da costruzione ha avuto gravi ripercussioni sul patrimonio architettonico in terra, rendendolo obsoleto nella coscienza collettiva e favorendo l’abbandono delle tecniche ad esso legate. Testimoniare le pratiche costruttive di quest’area, estremamente isolata e rimasta priva di connessioni carrabili fino ai giorni nostri, e quindi rimasta intatta nel tempo, significa descrivere la sapienza dei maestri costruttori che hanno saputo affinare la tecnica nel corso dei secoli in base ai soli materiali disponibili in loco, la quale può quindi rappresentare un supporto tecnico per contrastare il suddetto fenomeno. Inoltre, ottenendo un indice di vulnerabilità sismica di alcuni manufatti con una metodologia speditiva basata sulla valutazione di 14 parametri, si cerca di fornire un’analisi utile per la tutela e per la prevenzione in una zona altamente a rischio.
Automated program design for solution of weather forecasting problem
Authors:   Institute of Software Systems NAS of Ukraine, Doroshenko A.Yu. , Ivanenko P.A. ,   Institute of Software Systems NAS of Ukraine, Ovdiy O.M. ,   Institute of Software Systems NAS of Ukraine, Yatsenko O.A. ,   Institute of Software Systems NAS of Ukraine
Published: January 2021

The facilities for automated design of parallel code for OpenMP environment on the basis of highlevel algebra-algorithmic specifications are developed. The application of the facilities is illustrated on an example of a problem of atmosphere circulation modeling, which is represented as a service, belonging to the Internet-portal for providing meteorolog-ical forecasting services. The generation of program code was implemented and the results of the conducted experiment, which consisted in execution of the developed parallel weather forecasting pro-gram on a multiprocessor platform, are given.
Leveraging the Biology of Adversity and Resilience to Transform Pediatric Practice
Authors: Shonkoff Jack P. , Boyce W. Thomas , Levitt Pat , Martinez Fernando D. , McEwen Bruce
Published: January 2021

Advances in science are fundamentally changing the way we understand how inextricable interactions among genetic predispositions, physical and social environments, and developmental timing influence early childhood development and the foundations of health and how significant early adversity can lead to a lifetime of chronic health impairments. This article and companion article illustrate the extent to which differential outcomes are shaped by ongoing interactive adaptations to context that begin at or even before conception and continue throughout life, with increasing evidence pointing to the importance of the prenatal period and early infancy for the developing brain, the immune system, and metabolic regulation. Although new discoveries in the basic sciences are transforming tertiary medical care and producing breakthrough outcomes in treating disease, this knowledge is not being leveraged effectively to inform new approaches to promoting whole-child development and preventing illness. The opportunity for pediatrics to serve as the leading edge of science-based innovation across the early childhood ecosystem has never been more compelling. In this article, we present a framework for leveraging the frontiers of scientific discovery to inform new strategies in pediatric practice and advocacy to protect all developing biological systems from the disruptive effects of excessive early adversity beyond providing information on child development for parents and enriched learning experiences for young children.
“Field Diaries” by R. G. Kuzeev 1952–1958 about Bashkirs in Interethnic Interactions
Authors: Galieva Farida G.
Published: January 2021

Introduction. The relevance of the work lies in the demand for sources for the study of ethno- cultural processes in the Eurasian space. The purpose of the article is to analyze oral stories, legends, and legends in the “Field diaries” of R. G. Kuzeev about the interethnic interactions of the Bashkirs with the peoples of the Ural-Volga region, Central Asia, and Kazakhstan. The research method is to identify historical information from folklore materials and comparison with other materials. Results. The presence of tribal divisions Bashkir Tatars, Mishar, Suash, Kazakh, Kirghiz – is explained by two reasons. Either the Bashkirs find an abandoned child and raise it as their own, or there are inter-ethnic marriages. The attitude to the Russians formed as a mutually beneficial cooperation. The enmity with the Russian authorities was associated with the struggle for patrimonial lands, the Muslim religion, and the right to preserve the nomadic way of life. The Tatars are frequent neighbors Bashkirs, some turned into Bashkir, as well as Chuvash, Mari, after Islamization. The Cheremis described as a people who ceded land to the Bashkirs, while the Chuvash, Mordovians, Germans and Ukrainians occupied them. Kazakhs and Kyrgyz for a long time competed with the Bashkirs for the land; stealing other people’s livestock practiced until the Soviet era. However, some Bashkir villages remember their ancestors from the southern neighbors. Conclusion. Field diaries of R. G. Kuzeev characterize complex ethno-cultural processes in the Bashkir environment, provide information about their tolerant attitude to different peoples.
Tutoring in Russia: Current Situation and Tendencies of Development
Authors: Le-van Tatiana
Published: January 2021

The article deals with tutoring as a kind of pedagogical activity in Russia. It describes the history of formation and development of tutoring for the past 25 years. Particular attention is paid to the understanding of the tutoring in the context of the development of professional standards for the profession. The author’s understanding of tutoring as a social mechanism for self-development in the Russian education system is revealed. This social mechanism is considered from the staff development’s point of view at all levels of education (federal, regional, at the level of each educational organization) in the aspects of teachers’ participation in the students’ wellbeing, by the promotion of their healthy lifestyles.