bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
¿Qué persigue el legislador europeo? Digitalización de la Justicia, pero también principio de oportunidad
Authors: Jiménez Jiménez Leticia Adelaida
Published: May 2024

Existe una realidad innegable, como es el curso legislativo tan distinto que está siguiendo España ante las decisiones provenientes de la Unión Europea en materia de Justicia, donde se puede apreciar el diferente tratamiento que nuestro sistema legal ha mantenido respecto de dos posibles fórmulas de reforma, a saber: la digitalización judicial y el principio de oportunidad. En este contexto, pese a que la «vieja ya» institución conocida como principio de oportunidad en la persecución sigue pendiente de discusión sin visos de adopción por el legislador debido a sus fuertes reticencias, no ha ocurrido lo mismo con otra fórmula de reforma de la Justicia, mucho más reciente en su historia, como es la implantación de la digitalización judicial y la Inteligencia Artificial que, sin apenas discusión y oposición, se encuentra ya instaurada en nuestro ordenamiento jurídico a través del Real Decreto-ley 6/2023, de 19 de diciembre, por el que se aprueban medidas urgentes para la ejecución del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia en materia de servicio público de justicia, función pública, régimen local y mecenazgo. Por este motivo, en esta obra se podrá encontrar un estudio completo sobre el principio de oportunidad, conforme al cual parece que encuentra su principal obstáculo en su confrontación con el principio de legalidad en su aspecto penal y procesal, y que nos permite concluir que tal confrontación no se produce en realidad. Hemos considerado que, quizá, se encuentre aquí el quid de la cuestión, por lo que superada esta salvedad, planteamos como respuesta una propuesta práctica de aplicación del principio de oportunidad en el ejercicio de la acción penal atribuida al Ministerio Fiscal, conforme a la cual podría darse entrada a dicho principio en nuestro sistema legal, al igual que se ha hecho con la digitalización de la Justicia y la Inteligencia Artificial. Leticia Adelaida Jiménez Jiménez. Nacida en Madrid en 1987. Licenciada en Derecho por la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid en el año 2009. Accedió por oposición al Cuerpo Jurídico Militar en 2014 y, desde entonces, ha desarrollado su actividad profesional en el Ministerio de Defensa, primero como Asesora Jurídica, y desde 2019 como Fiscal Jurídico Militar dependiente de la Fiscalía General del Estado. En el año 2022 ingresó en el Gabinete Técnico del Tribunal Supremo, donde actualmente presta servicios como Letrada en la Sala de lo Penal.
The Dynamics of Educational Services in the Decentralization Era in Lampung Timur Regency
Authors: Jannata Pandu Farchan , Mardiansjah Fadjar Hari
Published: May 2024

Lampung Timur Regency is one of the regencies in the Province of Lampung, which was established in 1999, just before the implementation of the decentralization era in Indonesia. The regency has been detached from its “core district”, the Regency of Lampung Tengah. There has been an expectation that it will lead to more efficient and effective services and equal development in its region. This paper evaluates the delivery of educational services involving elementary, middle, and high schools during the decentralization era from 2000 to 2015. Using the time serial statistical data gathered from the district’s monographs and the standard set by the National Standard, this paper analyzes the availability of the services using inter-time and inter-regional comparisons and the combination of both comparisons. The result shows that during this period, the local government of Lampung Timur Regency focused on improving middle school than elementary and high school services. The case deems that transferring high school authority at the provincial level does not guarantee the effectiveness of improving high school services in the regency.
Service Facilities and Spatial Development: A Study on Rangpur City Corporation Area, Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md. Kamrul , Shimu Sharmin Aktar , Tabassum Mehruna
Published: May 2024

Inadequate and Inequall service distribution is one of the primary problems in a city. Bangladesh's main cities are presently faced with significant urban population expansion, and urban expansion is resulting in many unplanned developments. One of Bangladesh's most rapidly rising cities is the Rangpur City Corporation (RpCC) area. As the population in the city is growing rapidly, the city has pressure to provide service facilities in the area with heavier population demand. The city corporation is now separated into two primary land uses - core and non-core according to existing conditions of service. The research aims to identify the nature of the spatial distribution of service facilities (schools, colleges, health care centers, mosques, temples) and to analyze the deficiencies of different service facilities in both core and non-core areas of Ranpur City Corporation. The research is mainly based on primary data collected by a questionnaire survey from the authority of RpCC. In this research, the requirements and the deficiency of different amenities are also calculated using population projections by arithmetic increase method and population coverage of each service facility. The calculation found that the shortfall of service facilities are higher in the non- core area than the core area of RpCC, and major markets are concentrated in the core area. This type of centralization can create pressure on the resources of a core area. The identified nature of centralization from the study can be used for future planning and development of service facilities to ensure proper distribution in RpCC area.
Reciprocal inhibition of the thigh muscles in humans: A study using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation
Authors: Nakagawa Kento , Kakehata Gaku , Kaneko Naotsugu , Masugi Yohei , Osu Rieko , Iso Shigeo , Kanosue Kazuyuki , Nakazawa Kimitaka
Published: May 2024

Evaluating reciprocal inhibition of the thigh muscles is important to investigate the neural circuits of locomotor behaviors. However, measurements of reciprocal inhibition of thigh muscles using spinal reflex, such as H‐reflex, have never been systematically established owing to methodological limitations. The present study aimed to clarify the existence of reciprocal inhibition in the thigh muscles using transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS). Twenty able‐bodied male individuals were enrolled. We evoked spinal reflex from the biceps femoris muscle (BF) by tSCS on the lumber posterior root. We examined whether the tSCS‐evoked BF reflex was reciprocally inhibited by the following conditionings: (1) single‐pulse electrical stimulation on the femoral nerve innervating the rectus femoris muscle (RF) at various inter‐stimulus intervals in the resting condition; (2) voluntary contraction of the RF; and (3) vibration stimulus on the RF. The BF reflex was significantly inhibited when the conditioning electrical stimulation was delivered at 10 and 20 ms prior to tSCS, during voluntary contraction of the RF, and during vibration on the RF. These data suggested a piece of evidence of the existence of reciprocal inhibition from the RF to the BF muscle in humans and highlighted the utility of methods for evaluating reciprocal inhibition of the thigh muscles using tSCS.
Antifungal, antioxidant, and photocatalytic activities of greenly synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Maniah Khalid
Published: May 2024

The build-up of synthetic dyes in the environment and aquatic ecology is a significant environmental issue due to their inability to break down naturally. The overuse of chemical fungicides also poses a threat to the environment due to their accumulation and fostering of fungal resistance. Hence, the study was conducted to detect the antifungal properties and photocatalytic activity of greenly synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) prepared using theHibiscus sabdariffaflower extract. The biogenic IONPs showed the highest photocatalytic activity against rhodamine B dye at a concentration of 4.0 mg/ml. The biogenic IONPs also demonstrated effective antifungal properties againstPenicillium digitatumandAspergillus nigerstrains, with relative inhibition percentages of mycelial growth being higher than those with the metalaxyl + mancozeb fungicide at 800 ppm concentration. The efficient photocatalytic activity of the biogenic IONPs against rhodamine B dye and their effective antifungal properties suggest their potential use as safe substitutes for commercial fungicides.
Effects of tumor necrosis factor-α rs1800629 and interleukin-10 rs1800872 genetic variants on type 2 diabetes mellitus susceptibility and metabolic parameters among Jordanians
Authors: Mousa Lana Nasrallah , Jarrar Yazun , Gharaibeh Munir , Alhawari Hussam
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex chronic illness with diverse pathogenesis and associations with health complications. Genetic factors significantly contribute to DM development, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) genes play major roles. This study aims to explore the influence of TNF-α rs1800629 and IL-10 rs1800872 genetic variants on T2DM development in Jordanian patients at Jordan University Hospital.

Methods

One-hundred and 60 diabetic and 159 non-diabetic subjects were genotyped for TNF-α rs1800629. Additionally, 181 diabetic and 191 non-diabetic subjects were genotyped for IL-10 rs1800872 using PCR-RFLP genotyping method. The demographic, lipid, and glycemic parameters of the patients were obtained from the computer records in the hospital.

Results

TNF-α rs1800629 and IL-10 rs1800872 genetic variants exhibited significant different frequencies in non-T2DM subjects and T2DM patients. The difference in TNF-α rs1800629 genotype frequency between non-T2DM and T2DM participants was significant under the dominant model, while the IL-10 rs1800872 genotype frequency was significant under the recessive model. A significant association (p<0.05) was observed between TNF-α rs1800629 and total cholesterol levels, and between IL-10 rs1800872 polymorphism and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and creatinine levels among T2DM patients.

Conclusions

TNF-α rs1800629 and IL-10 rs1800872 are identified as genetic risk factors for T2DM. These variants also correlate with variations in cholesterol, HbA1c, and creatinine levels among T2DM patients. Larger clinical studies are warranted to validate these findings.
Coseismic slip model of the 14 January 2021 Mw 6.2 Mamuju-Majene earthquake based on static and kinematic GNSS solution
Authors: Prayoga Oktadi , Pratama Cecep
Published: May 2024

The Mw 6.2 Mamuju-Majene earthquake occurred on 14 January 2021, with the epicenter at 118.890°E, 2.972°S. The shaking caused severe damage in West Sulawesi, especially in the Mamuju and Majene cities. Most of the coseismic slip distribution of the Mamuju-Majene Earthquake is derived from the daily solutions, which might include early postseismic deformation. Therefore, we conducted a coseismic slip model using kinematic solution based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to determine the best coseismic slip values and model distribution. Our analysis indicates that the coseismic displacement from the kinematic solution is higher than the static solution. The GNSS data was utilized for inversion analysis, considering two potential fault sources, they are the Makassar Strait Central Fault and the Mamuju Fault. We found a larger misfit between the observed data and the model generated on static and kinematic solutions along the Makassar Strait Central Fault. Based on the kinematic solution, the coseismic slip distribution represents that fault rupture spreading along a north-south orientation, while the static solution is centered in the northern part. The maximum coseismic slip from each kinematic and static solution is 0.29 m and 0.11 m, respectively. Meanwhile, the seismic moment generated from the kinematic solution is 1.5 × 1026 N m (equivalent to Mw 6.75), which is greater than the static solution of 2.4 × 1025 N m (equivalent to Mw 6.22).
A novel variant in the FLNB gene associated with spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome
Authors: Qasim Hina , Khan Hayat , Zeb Humaira , Ahmad Akmal , Ilyas Muhammad , Zahoor Muhammad , Umar Muhammad Naveed , Ullah Riaz , Ali Essam A.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Genetic disorders involved in skeleton system arise due to the disturbance in skeletal development, growth and homeostasis. Filamin B is an actin binding protein which is large dimeric protein which cross link actin cytoskeleton filaments into dynamic structure. A single nucleotide changes in the FLNB gene causes spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome, a rare bone disorder due to which the fusion of carpels and tarsals synostosis occurred along with fused vertebrae. In the current study we investigated a family residing in north-western areas of Pakistan.

Methods

The whole exome sequencing of proband was performed followed by Sanger sequencing of all family members of the subject to validate the variant segregation within the family. Bioinformatics tools were utilized to assess the pathogenicity of the variant.

Results

Whole Exome Sequencing revealed a novel variant (NM_001457: c.209C>T and p.Pro70Leu) in the FLNB gene which was homozygous missense mutation in the FLNB gene. The variant was further validated and visualized by Sanger sequencing and protein structure studies respectively as mentioned before.

Conclusions

The findings have highlighted the importance of the molecular diagnosis in SCT (spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome) for genetic risk counselling in consanguineous families.
Structural behavior of one-way slabs reinforced by a combination of GFRP and steel bars: An experimental and numerical investigation
Authors: Rasheed Mohammed Raed , Mohammed Shatha Dheyaa
Published: May 2024

Glass- fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) offers a significant alternative to steel in reinforced concrete, with superior corrosion and fire resistance. Though less ductile and more brittle in stress–strain behavior than steel, it is very helpful to combine GFRP with steel reinforcement that improves the structural behavior. This research investigates the flexural characteristics of a one-way slab reinforced by a combination of GFRP and steel reinforcement. Three identical concrete slabs ((1500 × 550 × 120) mm and 43 MPa) were tested under static load with GFRP replacement ratios of (0, 20, and 40)%. The experimental data were utilized to verify a numerical model. The experimental outcomes indicated a substantial impact of the GFRP replacement ratio on the failure mode. The failure mode was flexural, flexural-shear, and shear regarding the reference slab, 20%, and 40% replacement, respectively. GFRP replacement influenced ductility and ultimate load by (9.13 and 10.7)% and (−21 and 5.0)% for replacement ratio (20 and 40)%, respectively. Based on the numerical analysis, the parametric study (considerably affected the structural response. Failure mode changed to flexural, and shear-flexural concerning (20 and 40)%, respectively. The optimum load was characterized at 40%, while max toughness and ductility were achieved at 20%.
Minimization of dispersion and non-linear effects in WDM based long-haul high capacity optical communication systems
Authors: Zaman Zahid , Khan Yousaf , Khan Ammar Muhammad
Published: May 2024

Chromatic dispersion and nonlinear impairments pose challenges in high-capacity optical transmission systems, leading to signal distortions, channel interference and diminished the transmission performances. This paper explores the utilization of dispersion compensating fibers (DCF) using different schemes to mitigate the dispersion that accumulates along the length of a fiber in a 16 × 10 Gbps high-capacity long haul WDM system over a range of 500 km. When different wavelengths of light pulses are transmitted through an optical fiber, they experience varying speeds due to the refractive index’s wavelength dependency. As a result, the light pulses become temporally spread out as they travel through the fiber, and this dispersion persists throughout the fiber’s length. Considering non-linear effects such as self-phase modulation (SPM) and cross-phase modulation (XPM), this paper analyze and compare the three compensation schemes of DCF in a 16 channel WDM system. Moreover the impact of non-linearities based on fiber length are also analyzed and compared. The results are evaluated by comparing metrics such as Q-factor, bit error rate (BER) and eye height. The analysis concludes that the symmetrical compensation scheme of DCF outperforms the pre- and post-compensation scheme. This finding suggests that the symmetrical compensation method offers a promising solution for high-capacity access networks, providing high spectral efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and improved flexibility.
High-throughput sequencing reveals crebanine inhibits colorectal cancer by modulating Tregs immune prognostic target genes
Authors: Xu Jiajun , Huang Lingyu , Sha Yu , Mo Chune , Gong Weiwei , Tian Xiayu , Hou Xianliang , Chen Wei , Ou Minglin
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Crebanine, an alkaloid exhibiting sedative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, remains unexplored in terms of its anticancer potential against colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap, specifically investigating whether crebanine can suppress CRC and elucidating its underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods

We employed the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, cell scratch assay, and flow cytometry to observe the effects of crebanine on the growth, migration, and apoptosis of CRC SW480 cells, respectively. High-throughput sequencing was employed to detect differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SW480 cells treated with crebanine. Enriched pathways of these DEGs were identified through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Genes exhibiting the highest correlation in the enriched pathway were further analyzed using clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) public database, utilizing R software.

Results

Crebanine effectively inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SW480 cells, with concentrations of ≥15 μg/mL promoting apoptosis. Analysis revealed that the function of DEGs linked to the most enriched pathways was associated with immune infiltration by regulatory T cells (Tregs). When analyzed in conjunction with clinical data, the genes exhibiting the highest correlation in the enrichment pathway were found to be directly associated with clinical prognostic survival.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that crebanine inhibits colorectal cancer by regulating prognostic target genes related to Tregs. This finding offers a novel approach for pharmacological inhibition and Tregs-targeted therapy in CRC.
Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforcement on self-healing performance of natural rubber
Authors: Mohd Sani Noor Faezah , Shuib Raa Khimi , Zainol Mohd Hafiz , Othman Nadras , Tran Dai Lam
Published: May 2024

This work is motivated by the desire to restore the quality of rubber-based product properties with the intention of prolonging the service life period, thus helping create a sustainable environment by proposing effective rubber waste management. This study experimentally investigated an intrinsically self-healing zinc thiolate grafted natural rubber (NRZT) compound filled with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to assess its influence on mechanical properties and self-healing performance. The MWCNT loading varied to 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 phr. The Equilibrium swelling test was used to quantify the amount of ionic and covalent crosslinks formed. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra were used to detect the presence of MWCNT in the compound. The mechanical properties computed by the tensile and tear strength tests showed that the incorporation of MWCNT increased both properties up to three and twofold, respectively. However, as expected, the elongation at break (Eb) value was reduced. The unfilled sample showed that it can heal up to ∼98 %, measured from the tensile strength. However, the healing efficiency obtained from tensile strength reduces to ∼88 % by incorporating 2 phr MWCNT. The Eb and its self-healing efficiency gradually decreased as the MWCNT amount increased. All samples showed outstanding properties under the tearing mode, where the healed samples produced higher tear strength (>100 % healing) than the initial value. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed a noticeable gap along the healed cut line with increased MWCNT numbers, possibly due to the lower reaction between polymerized zinc thiolate (PZTh) radicals with zinc thiolate (ZT) and rubber molecules. The work aims to investigate the influence of MWCNTs on the mechanical and healing performance of self-healing NR composites by comparing them to their unfilled sample.
Aberrant Functional Connectivity of the Salience Network in Adult Patients with Tic Disorders: A Resting-State fMRI Study
Authors: Orth Linda , Meeh Johanna , Leiding Delia , Habel Ute , Neuner Irene , Sarkheil Pegah
Published: May 2024

Tic disorders (TD) are characterized by the presence of motor and/or vocal tics. Common neurophysiological frameworks suggest dysregulations of the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) brain circuit that controls movement execution. Besides common tics, there are other “non-tic” symptoms that are primarily related to sensory perception, sensorimotor integration, attention, and social cognition. The existence of these symptoms, the sensory tic triggers, and the modifying effect of attention and cognitive control mechanisms on tics may indicate the salience network's (SN) involvement in the neurophysiology of TD. Resting-state functional MRI measurements were performed in 26 participants with TD and 25 healthy controls (HC). The group differences in resting-state functional connectivity patterns were measured based on seed-to-voxel connectivity analyses. Compared to HC, patients with TD exhibited altered connectivity between the core regions of the SN (insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and temporoparietal junction) and sensory, associative, and motor-related cortices. Furthermore, connectivity changes were observed in relation to the severity of tics in the TD group. The SN, particularly the insula, is likely to be an important site of dysregulation in TD. Our results provide evidence for large-scale neural deviations in TD beyond the CSTC pathologies. These findings may be relevant for developing treatment targets.
PRODUCTION OF ALKALINE PROTEASE BY A NOVEL ANAEROBIC BACTERIUM ISOLATED FROM A MUNICIPAL ANAEROBIC TREATMENT SYSTEM
Authors: Sayın Börekçi Bilge , Dönmez Sedat , Avcı Ayşe
Published: May 2024

In this study, alkaline protease enzyme production by a bacterial strain isolated from sludge samples collected from an anaerobic treatment system was investigated. According to the 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the isolate was identified as Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus (98.52%). Enzyme activity analyses revealed an optimum pH value of 10, an incubation time of 64 h, and a temperature of 35°C. Arabinose and casein hydrolysates were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. Maximum protease activity was recorded (864.68 U/mL) when arabinose was used instead of glucose. Moreover, the addition of 1 g/L MgSO4.7H2O and 0.25 g/L Tween-80 to the medium increased the enzyme activity. Therefore, it can be concluded that T. thermohydrosulfuricus is a significant producer of alkaline protease enzymes in the culture medium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the optimization of alkaline protease production by T. thermohydrosulfuricus.
Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Pecinta Budaya di Desa Wisata Trayu, Kecamatan Singorojo, Kabupaten Kendal
Authors: Nazahah Afra Aisyah , Priyanto Agustinus Sugeng
Published: May 2024

Desa Wisata Trayu merupakan dampak dari adanya potensi desa yaitu potensi alam, potensi budaya, potensi buatan serta dampak dari dikeluarkannya Surat Keputusan Bupati Kendal yang meresmikan Desa Trayu menjadi Desa Wisata. Dengan berdirinya Desa Wisata Trayu upaya Pemberdayaan masyarakat sangat diperlukan untuk mengatasi permasalahan yang ada dan meningkatkan rasa cinta budaya. Tujuan dari adanya penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui upaya Pemberdayaan masyarakat cinta budaya Desa Wisata Trayu dan kendala yang dihadapi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif. Latar penelitian di Desa Trayu Kecamatan Singorojo Kabupaten Kendal. Sumber data yang digunakan data primer dan sekunder. Pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi. Uji validitas data menggunakan triangulasi sumber. Teknik analisis data dengan reduksi data, penyajian data, penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa (1) Upaya Pemberdayaan masyarakat dilakukan dengan tahap penyadaran, tahap pengkapasitasan, dan tahap pemberian daya. Pada tahap penyadaran berupa sosialisasi, musyawarah, peresmian Desa Wisata Trayu. Pada tahap pengkapasitasan berupa pendampingan, pelatihan, peningkatan kapasitas, studi banding. Pada tahap pemberian daya upaya berupa penyediaan tempat berjualan, penyediaan wahana-wahana, pagelaran seni, festival kuliner, pasar rakyat, festival desa wisata. (2) Kendala yang dihadapi pada tahap penyadaran berupa persepsi masyarakat yang beragam. Pada tahap pengkapasitasan berupa dana. Pada tahap pemberian daya kendala berupa kurangnya kerja sama dan komitmen masyarakat yang masih rendah. Saran yang diberikan peneliti Pemerintah Desa Trayu melakukan inovasi kegiatan Pemberdayaan masyarakat, mencari investor, membuka relasi dengan pihak luar, masyarakat Desa Trayu menerapkan keterbukaan, berpartisipasi aktif, meningkatkan promosi wisata melalui media sosial agar hasil PAD Desa Wisata Trayu dapat menunjang kegiatan pemberdayaan masyarakat.
El uso de estrategias de enseñanza y aprendizaje desde la alteridad en la carrera de Educación Comercial de la Universidad Nacional
Authors: Agüero Flores Alejandra
Published: May 2024

From otherness, the use of teaching and learning strategies is proposed as a resource in the classroom that allows the inclusion and equality of students in the teaching and learning processes in the Commercial Education career; The teacher, being aware of the needs and interests of the students, will be able to use strategies that promote the development of skills and strengths so that everyone has the same opportunities. Likewise, graduates will be able to use strategies that romote otherness, creating spaces for horizontal and emancipatory communication in their work areas. In order to identify how teachers in this career can apply otherness in teaching and learning strategies, it is important to ask the following question: will the teacher be discovering the needs of the students? .In order to respond to this statement, the concept of alterity that is the discovery of the other, that is, that there are different contexts and worldviews, will be addressed. In which, it is required that the teacher is located in the educational realities that his students present and that
they look for a solution so that the activities carried out respond to their needs
Pertinencia y adaptación de las bases teóricas y fundamentos metodológicos de formación profesional dual para la mejora de las ofertas académicas de educación superior universitaria en Costa Rica: Caso la Escuela de Secretariado Profesional
Authors: Sánchez Rodríguez Gloriana
Published: May 2024

Since 2000, the Escuela de Secretariado Profesional (ESP) has ventured into the Dual Vocational Training Project as a teaching and learning modality. Its purpose is to promote the comprehensive development of the university community members and provide them with a humanistic education based on the study of the national reality. This Project involves a practical experience in which students assume responsibilities according to their academic level. It offers students suitable training for their professional profile and ensures a supply of competent human capital for the corporate area.
This Project was born with the purpose of “promoting the comprehensive development of the members of the university community and providing them with humanistic training, based on the study of the national reality and in light of the themes and achievements of universal culture”, as stated in the Organic Statute of the National University.
Dual training promotes the linking of theory and practice and integrates the student into the company for the development of new professional skills; it seeks to articulate the training and development of generic and specific skills effectively and efficiently, aimed to achieve comprehensive training in the student, in addition to work experience.
Currently, dual training is not part of the academic curriculum, and students voluntarily choose to participate. Tutor professors collaborate on an honorary basis, and companies receive competent and qualified human resources without payment for the services provided by the student. Therefore, the article aims to validate the relevance and adaptation of the theoretical foundations and methodological principles to enhance higher education offerings in Costa Rica.
El liderazgo ético en las empresas: la clave para transformar la rutina ordinaria en acciones extraordinarias
Authors: Casasola Rivera Wilmer
Published: May 2024

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the relevance of ethical leadership in business, organizational and institutional contexts. The paper follows a systematic narrative research methodology. The paper proposes that the management of an organizational culture focused on ethical leadership can enable professional performance to achieve better results by transforming ordinary routine into extraordinary actions.
Preparation of Cellulose Nanofibrils/Salt Hydrate Composite Phase Change Materials for Thermal Energy Storage
Authors:   Beijing Key Laboratory for Theory and Technology of Advanced Battery Materials, Peking University, Shen Zhenghui ,   Department of Agriculture, Seoul National University, Oh Kyudeok ,   Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University; Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology, Åbo Akademi University, Toivakka Martti ,   Laboratory of Natural Materials Technology, Åbo Akademi University, Lee Hak Lae ,   Department of Agriculture and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University;
Published: May 2024

Salt hydrate phase change materials (PCMs) have been intensively used for thermal energy storage (TES) due to their sharp melting points, high energy storage density, small volume change and low cost. However, the problems of phase separation, supercooling and relatively low thermal conductivity of salt hydrate PCMs need to be addressed for high-efficiency TES. In this research, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and CNFs-based composites were used to improve the TES performance of sodium acetate trihydrate (SAT). The effect of CNFs on the phase stability of SAT was investigated and the involved mechanism was explored by the rheological study. CNFs/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) composites and CNFs/silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) composites were prepared and used to improve the TES efficiency of SAT. Results indicate that adding 0.8% of CNFs to SAT increased the viscosity, enhanced solid-like rheological behaviors by entangled nanofiber network, and successfully eliminated phase separation of SAT. Owing to the excellent dispersing capability of CNFs, the aggregations of GNPs and AgNPs were avoided in the prepared CNFs/GNPs and CNFs/AgNPs composites. The resulting SAT-based composite PCMs were phase-stable and exhibited improved thermal conductivities over pure SAT due to the thermal conductivity enhancers, GNPs and AgNPs. Besides, with the combined use of sodium phosphate dibasic dodecahydrate and CNFs/AgNPs0.02 composite, the supercooling degree of SAT decreased to 1.2 °C. The prepared composite PCMs exhibited reasonable phase change temperature and enthalpy, and improved thermal stability. In summary, green and versatile CNFs based composites were prepared, and they successfully overcame the drawbacks of salt hydrate PCMs for TES applications.
Development of Improved CTMP with Even Sulphonate Distribution at Fibre Level using XRF Analysis
Authors:   Fiber Science Communication Network (FSCN), Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, Rahman Hafizur , Engstrand Per ,   Fiber Science Communication Network (FSCN), Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, Persson Erik ,   Fiber Science Communication Network (FSCN), Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, An Siwen ,   Radiation Sensing and Imaging Systems, Dept. of Electronics Design, Mid Sweden University, Norlin Borje ,   Radiation Sensing and Imaging Systems, Dept. of Electronics Design, Mid Sweden University, Zeeshan Faisal ,   Radiation Sensing and Imaging Systems, Dept. of Electronics Design, Mid Sweden University, Granfeldt Thomas ,   Valmet AB, Gustaf Gidlöfs väg 4, SE-851 79 Sundsvall, Sweden
Published: May 2024

Optimizing the fibre property distribution could increase the pulp properties as well as the process efficiency of chemimechanical pulps (CMP/CTMP). This can only be achieved with a better understanding of how evenly distributed sulphonate concentrations are between the individual CTMP fibres. Given that the quality of wood chips varies with the chipping methods used in pulpwood processing and sawmill processing, as well as with the chip screening system, it is a challenge to develop an impregnation process that ensures even distribution of sodium sulphite (Na2SO3) in the liquid used to impregnate the Chemimechanical pulp (CMP/CTMP). Therefore, the distribution of sulphonate groups within wood chips and individual fibres must be measured at the microscale level. On a micro level, the degree of unevenness, i.e., the amount of fibre sulphonation and softening before defibration, cannot be determined due to the use of excessively robust or complex processing methods. By having it, we could better understand how sulphonation occurs before defibration, so we could improve impregnation. Developing a laboratory scale miniaturized energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) method that measures sulphur distribution at the fibre level can enable us to study the influence of impregnation improving processes.
KELEA (Kinetic Energy Limiting Electrostatic Attraction) stimulated Alternative Cellular Energy (ACE) pathway can restore allostasis in heavily polluted collections of water with secondary benefits to birds and land animals
Authors: Martin W John
Published: May 2024

A very simple approach is available to help minimize pollution in water and reverse the overgrowth of toxic algae and other contaminants. It is based on the concept that pollution has overcome Nature’s self-correcting adaptations referred to as allostasis. KELEA, an abbreviation for Kinetic Energy Limiting Electrostatic Attraction, is proposed to be a natural force whose fundamental role is presumably to prevent fusion and the possible elimination of electrostatically attracted opposing electrical charges. KELEA serves as a life force energy, which is different from cellular energy derived from the metabolism of food. It empowers the alternative cellular energy (ACE) pathway. Various approaches can be used to transfer KELEA from the environment to water for increased energy utilization by various cellular energy-deprived life forms. Increasing the KELEA level of water can be easily achieved using pellets of previously pulverized and heated volcanic rock material, such as is being marketed under the name Kiko. As described in this article, a few Kiko pellets used in conjunction with biochar and small amounts of nutrient supplements can initiate a continuing ecosystem repair process in areas of polluted water. Moreover, air, land, and aquatic wildlife are returning to the treated areas. Restoring the capacity for natural allostasis with KELEA can be immediately applied to vast areas of polluted water in many parts of the world.
What do we breathe near contaminated water bodies?
Authors: Amado Enrique Navarro-Frómeta , Guillermo Manuel Horta-Valerdi , Paula Montserrat Crespo-Barrera , José Carlos Mendoza-Hernández
Published: May 2024

Samples of total suspended particles were taken at points located in the vicinity of two polluted rivers of Puebla, México, an affluent of the Atoyac River (UPMP), the Nexapa River (ICATEP), a point at some distance from the Nexapa River (UTIM) and one point far from this stream (sCarlos). 1 L water samples were taken from the two streams (aAtoyac and Nexapa). Sampling and extraction of organic contaminants was performed according to USEPA method TO13A and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In addition, DNA was extracted from the samples and sequenced. In previous work, a group of semi-volatile emerging contaminants were analyzed and in this work, 8 compounds with lower volatility were selected. Water concentrations of the studied compounds were much higher for aAtoyac than for Nexapa. The results obtained allow us to establish that the contaminants present in the water are aerosolized and therefore can affect the population that is exposed to aerosols from heavily polluted rivers with decreasing concentration in the order UPMP>ICATEP>UTIM>sCarlos with a decrease in their relative concentrations with distance from the water body. We conclude that proximity to heavily contaminated bodies of water implies serious risks to human health. It is worth mentioning that the obtained results represent only a first glance of the studied problem. A deeper evaluation obviously require more sampling and varying the distances from the rivers to determine time-space variations of the pollutant’s concentrations in aerosols and bioaerosols near polluted water bodies.
Andrew M. Yuengert, Catholic Social Teaching in Practice. Exploring Practical Wisdom and the Virtues Tradition, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2023, 334 pp.
Authors: Morariu Iuliu-Marius
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Luis Antequera, Crucifixión. Orígenes e historia del suplicio, Sekotia, Córdoba 2021, 326 pp.
Authors: Garza-Algaba Gabriel
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Javier Salido Domínguez, Rosario Gómez Osuna (eds.), Iglesias tardoantiguas en el centro peninsular (siglos V-VIII), Ediciones La Ergástula, Madrid 2022, 411 pp.
Authors: Andreu-Pintado Javier
Published: May 2024

Book Review
David L. d’Avray, Papal Jurisprudence, 385-1234. Social Origins and Medieval Reception of Canon Law, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2022, XI + 320 pp.
Authors: Sedano Joaquín
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Jaume Mensa i Valls, Arnau de Vilanova a Lleida. La Confessio Ilerdensis: estudi, edició i traducción, Edicions de la Universitat de Lleida, Lleida 2023, 91 pp.
Authors: Ramis-Barceló Rafael
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Rafael Lazcano, Tesauro Agustiniano, Tomo XI: Fray Luis de León, Rafael Lazcano Editor, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) 2023, 406 pp.
Authors: Ramis-Barceló Rafael
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Marco Papasidero, Miracula et Benefitia. Malattia, taumaturgia e devozione a Licata e in Sicilia nella prima età moderna. Con l’edizione del processo sui miracoli di sant’Angelo (1625-1627), Edizioni Carmelitane, Roma 2021, 542 pp.
Authors: Sodano Giulio
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Chantal Delsol, La fin de la Chrétienté. L’inversion normative et le nouvel âge, Les Éditions du Cerf, París 2022, 172 pp.
Authors: Sanz-Santacruz Víctor
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Mario L. Grignani, Propaganda Fide. Le missioni e le inchieste sulla schiavitú de facto degli indigeni in America Latina (1918-1922), Urbaniana University Press, Roma 2022, 501 pp.
Authors: Alejos-Grau Carmen-José
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Robert H. Jackson, The Bourbon Reforms and the remaking of Spanish Frontier Missions, Brill, Leiden/Boston 2022, 356 pp.
Authors: Alfonso-Mola Marina
Published: May 2024

Book Review
Contractual forms of realization of property rights in the economic area
Authors: Pashynin Oleksandr
Published: May 2024

The article is devoted to the study of a contract as a legal form of realization of property rights in the economic sphere, considering theoretical and practical problems, in particular, the problem of contract selection, and the significance of the act of acceptance and transfer of property as a legal fact. The materials used for the study include legislative acts, scientific sources on commercial and civil law, case law on transfer of ownership, conclusion of contracts on behalf of a business entity with excess of authority, and the meaning of an act of acceptance and transfer as a transaction or evidence. The study consistently reveals the relationship of legal provisions to the economic function of law, analyses the concept, features and types of commercial contracts, names contracts, under which property is transferred to the ownership or temporary use of another entity, and analyses the legal provisions on the choice of contract and the owner's performance of contractual obligations.
Based on the study, the author formulates a definition of an economic contract as a legal form of realization of property rights and identifies the characteristic features of such contracts. In particular, the author concludes that such contracts are the result of the exercise of the right to dispose of property and ensure the dynamics of property rights in the economic sphere. Based on the study of various approaches to the classification of economic contracts, the author concludes that all classifications of economic contracts include contracts for the transfer of property into ownership or use. Based on this conclusion, the author systematizes economic contracts, which mediate the realization of property rights. The author also analyzes and specifies the criteria for selecting a contract for exercising property rights in the economic sphere. The author argues that the obligation of a business entity to be the owner of property under a contract is terminated at the time of transfer of property and is mostly formalized by drawing up an act of acceptance and transfer of property. Such an act should be considered an element of the contract as a legal fact, and its legal significance lies in fixing the moment when the property owner's rights are terminated, unless another moment is established by law or contract
Reforming the common security and defense policy in the long term, considering the threat from Russia
Authors: Myrkeieiv Yaroslav
Published: May 2024

This article analyzes the need to reform the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union in the long term, with a particular focus on the threat, posed by the russian federation. The growth of russia's aggressiveness and foreign policy ambitions creates the need to strengthen and adapt the security and defense policy of the European Union.
A number of decisions, adopted by the European Union as a countermeasure to russian aggression against Ukraine, are analyzed. The article also examines the reasons that led to the need for institutional reform and key aspects of it, including the strengthening of the Union's military capabilities, the development of the cyber security sector and the expansion of cyber defense infrastructure, ensuring an increase in joint financing of the defense sector and cooperation with strategic partners. The importance and necessity of political unity and joint action among the member states of the European Union, strengthening of defense capabilities, defense cooperation, improvement of crisis management mechanisms and provision of mutual assistance between member states for effective response to threats from russia were emphasized. The article calls for intensive cooperation and coordination between the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, as well as for strengthening external partnerships with countries that share common values and have common security interests in the implementation of joint projects and programs in the field of security and defense to ensure stability and security in the region.
Reforming the Common Security and Defense Policy is a key factor in ensuring Europe's collective security in the medium and long term, taking into account the needs and challenges of the modern geopolitical environment, and through joint action, the European Union can act as a united front in security solutions and international cooperation
As Camp as a Row of Pink Tents: Stephen’s Portrait of Mr W. S.
Authors: Slote Samuel
Published: May 2024

In the ‘Scylla and Charybdis’ episode of Ulysses, Stephen Dedalus presents a theory about Shakespeare’s biographical motivations for writingHamlet, which he ultimately claims, perhaps disingenuously, to not believe. Stephen’s apparent disbelief in his own theory echoes Oscar Wilde’s‘Portrait of Mr W. H.’, which is referenced within ‘Scylla’, and which also propounds a theory of Shakespeare’s artistic production in terms of his biography. Furthermore, like the various characters in Wilde’s story, Stephen’s theory is propelled primarily from the internal evidence of Shakespeare’s texts. In this article, I will analyse the playful and learned insincerity of both theories through the optic of camp in order to tease out the implications that Stephen’s argument about Shakespeare has for James Joyce’s aesthetics.
Why Do Mutual Funds Invest in Treasury Futures?
Authors: Iorio Benjamin , Li Dan , Petrasek Lubomir
Published: May 2024

Asset managers’ net long positions in Treasury futures have reached their historical highs in recent months, driven in part by mutual funds’ demand for short- and medium-term Treasury futures. Analyzing mutual fund portfolio holdings reports on SEC Form N-PORT, we find that the increase in mutual funds’ futures holdings since 2020 can be attributed to both increased demand for Treasury exposures during a higher interest rate environment and mutual funds’ preference for sourcing these exposures through futures rather than securities.
Imaginarios de resistencia: el rap ecofeminista andino de Taki Amaru y Renata Flores
Authors: Pinilla-Alba Susana
Published: May 2024

Es un desiderátum de nuestra realidad, marcada por crisis humanitarias y climáticas, revisar los pilares de una cosmovisión que justifica y arraiga la catástrofe, mediante la reivindicación de propuestas que contrarresten sus efectos. Con este propósito, el presente artículo analiza algunas obras representativas de la peruana Renata Flores y de la MC colombiana Taki Amaru, de La Mafiandina. Desde la perspectiva ecofeminista crítica, se examina cómo dialogan y aportan a la filosofía feminista los conceptos de sumak kawsay, cuerpo territorio y ch’ixi presentes en las poéticas de estas autoras. A través de un análisis de su estética (las representaciones de las mujeres y la naturaleza), su ética (la aspiración a una vida digna) y su posicionamiento político (la defensa del propio cuerpo) se concluye en la potencialidad crítica y didáctica del ecofeminismo latinoamericano, así como en las posibilidades del rap como herramienta de cambio social, pedagogía ambiental y empoderamiento de grupos oprimidos.
Mite i llegenda
Authors: autores Varios
Published: May 2024

Aquest Quadern de la Càtedra Josep Anton Baixeras de Patrimoni literari català recull les intervencions de la "Jornada Mites i llegendes: mirades interdisciplinàries". Mites i llegendes s'han transmès durant segles i generacions, han generat relats i, també, ideologies i creences a través de diversos instruments i discursos. Les aportacions d'aquest volum mostren aquesta diversitat amb noves mirades des de diferents disciplines: Maria Ramon Cubells analitza els mites i llegendes des de la filosofia; Montserrat Duch Plana remarca la seva importància en la memòria històrica; Emili Samper Prunera exposa la seva reinvenció i actualitat a través del còmic, i Joana Zaragoza Gras incideix en la creació d'un ordre patriarcal i binari desconstruït mitjançant els estudis de gènere.